Chapter 67
by post_apiChapter 67: Purchasing Spiritual Treasures
The second day of the ceremonial gathering allowed free communication. Besides the Hundred Arts Hall, several areas in the heavenly cave opened, including the Debate Platform, Gaming Pavilion, and Moon Red Tower.
Yang Lingrui kept his focus on the Hundred Arts Hall. Securing this booth hadn’t been easy, so he prioritized selling his remaining stock.
He still possessed ten fire talismans, twenty tranquility talismans, and twenty evil-repelling talismans.
The fire talismans sold quickly. As fundamental five-element talismans with broad applications, all ten were sold within half a day, earning fifty spiritual crystals.
The Fengling Town cultivator who bought fire talismans the previous day returned with a Loose cultivator friend. This ninth-level Gathering Qi cultivator owned a bamboo forest cave in Fengling.
His cultivation method required the clear air of bamboo forests, yet his techniques followed the ice path.
He’d built a frost well requiring daily fire talismans to contain its cold energy, only releasing it during training.
This man wanted Yang Family fire talismans but arrived as the last ten sold out.
Here, the Hundred Arts Hall’s value shone. The Loose cultivator summoned an Immortal Patrol Office member to witness a contract with Yang Lingrui.
For five years, he’d buy thirty-six inferior fire talismans annually at eight spiritual crystals each. Superior-quality ones would fetch eighteen crystals each.
With eighty crystals as deposit, Yang Lingrui secured his first major long-term deal.
Selling the remaining talismans proved slower. As Chen Yang predicted, their low-tier effects attracted mainly mid-stage Gathering Qi cultivators buying for juniors.
Yet quality spoke for itself. Word spread among attendees, and by dusk, all forty remaining talismans sold for forty crystals.
Pocketing his earnings, Yang Lingrui deemed the gathering successful enough to report back.
Before the Hundred Arts Hall closed, he sought Li Cheng’s help at the Li Family booth.
With 1,300 crystals from the Su Family and 360 from sales, he needed to purchase home supplies. Yang Lingqing had advised prioritizing combat strength over cultivation aids, given their existing techniques and Immortal Master oversight.
However, openly spending large sums as the minor Yang Family risked unwanted attention. Borrowing Yu Fenghuo and Liu Cheshui from Li Cheng, they split up at the Artifact Towers’ sprawling booth – nearly double the Yang Family square’s size, befitting a powerful force.
A fourth-level Gathering Qi attendant greeted him: "Welcome, Friend. What does the Artifact Towers provide for you today?"
"Do you carry spiritual treasures suitable for Gathering Qi-level martial cultivators?"
“Of course, we have them. Please state your name, Friend.”
“Yang Lingrui of the Songshan Yang Family.”
“Very well, Fellow Daoist Lingrui, this way please.”
Yang Lingrui was led through the crowd to the northwest section of the booth, where numerous martial cultivator spiritual treasures were displayed.
“Tungsten Iron Body Armor, early-stage Gathering Qi. Offers exceptional resistance against blades. Inferior quality priced at fifteen spiritual crystals.”
“Green Snake Leg Wraps, mid-stage Gathering Qi. Greatly enhances underwater movement speed and defends against water techniques. Inferior quality costs eighty spiritual crystals.”
“Refined Iron Staff, early-stage Gathering Qi. Entirely forged from premium iron with excellent striking power. Inferior quality priced at fifteen spiritual crystals.”
…
The attendant enthusiastically described each item’s merits while carefully avoiding any mention of flaws.
Every spiritual treasure sounded like a priceless artifact through his honeyed words.
Yang Lingrui remained unswayed. Among the displays, his attention settled on tiger-headed arm guards.
These differed from ordinary arm protection – extending past the wrists were claw-like metal knuckles.
“What’s the price for these?”
“Ah, you’ve chosen wisely! These rank among our finest spiritual treasures!”
The attendant exclaimed excitedly, “Forged by Artifact Towers’ masters from twin tiger-patterned mystic iron plates! Unbreakable defense meets lethal offense!”
“Just give me the price.”
“Mid-stage Gathering Qi treasure. Inferior quality costs eighty spiritual crystals.”
“And superior quality?”
“Two hundred.”
“Two hundred? Hmph.”
Yang Lingrui snorted and turned to leave. The attendant hastily grabbed his sleeve.
“Wait, Friend! That’s just the listed price. Negotiations are possible!”
“Stop circling. I want superior quality but can’t afford games. Name your final price.”
The Artifact Towers cultivator appraised Yang Lingrui.
The Songshan Yang Family – that minor clan Li Cheng dragged into the ceremonial gathering.
While showing potential, their current resources likely remained meager.
Mental calculations began – how much could be squeezed from this provincial buyer?
Yang Lingrui stood firm. Old Yu had briefed him on standard marketplace prices beforehand.
After prolonged haggling, the tiger-headed arm guards changed hands for one hundred forty spiritual crystals.
Next came the Pill Workshop booth. Yang Lingrui sold three rejuvenating elixirs through their buyback service.
Without unnecessary chatter, a white-haired Dan Maker inspected the pills in a backroom. One thousand spiritual crystals promptly exchanged hands.
At the City Lord’s mansion booth, Yang Lingrui acquired a standard-issue mid-stage Gathering Qi Crow Feather Fan of superior quality.
Purchases completed, he proceeded to the Li Family pavilion where Yu Fenghuo and Liu Cheshui awaited.
“Senior, all items acquired: superior-quality Earth Technique Magic Disc, Mystic Iron Soft Armor, plus five inferior-quality Green Stone Robes – all mid-stage Gathering Qi.”
Yu Fenghuo presented the storage bag.
Total expenditure: eight hundred five spiritual crystals. Remaining balance: one thousand eight hundred fifty-five.
Inventory verified, Yang Lingrui marveled inwardly.
Wealth truly opened doors!
These acquisitions would dramatically enhance the Yang Family’s combat strength.
The remaining funds could be allocated after returning home.
“My thanks. Please accept this small gratitude.”
Yang Lingrui offered two hundred spiritual crystals.
“Senior, we couldn’t!”
“Young Master Li Cheng would reprimand us!”
“Tell him it’s payment for four replenishing pills.”
“Well…”
After token resistance, the two men accepted.
Alone again, Yang Lingrui explored newly opened ceremonial gathering areas.
Nearest stood the Gaming Pavilion – cultivators wagered on mineral deposits, guessed magic disc outcomes, and pitted spiritual insects against each other.