Chapter 44
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Chapter 44: Selling Pearls
Wang Chen had no desire to join the recruitment of the outer sect’s Three Preparatory Teams.
However, he still needed to visit the headquarters.
First, he took his identity token to the Contribution Hall to claim his battle rewards.
Five hundred contribution points.
Next, he made his way to the Dharma Hall.
The library was bustling with people exchanging techniques that day, and Wang Chen had to wait in a long queue before it was finally his turn.
“Senior,” he said respectfully, presenting his token to the elder teaching. “I wish to exchange for an escape technique that suits me.”
The elder teaching took the token, and a Blade-like Gleam flashed in his eyes.
“Fourth realm of Qi Training, five hundred contribution points,” the elder teaching noted.
He nodded and continued, “Last time, you exchanged for the follow-up technique of the Five Element Technique. Naturally, the most suitable choice would be the Five Element Escape Technique, but your current cultivation level is too low to practice it.”
Both inner sect disciples and Outer Sect Disciples were issued an identity token.
This token was of great importance, as it was sealed with the owner’s soul energy, making it impossible to forge or counterfeit.
Its function was similar to the electronic cards Wang Chen had used in his past life—it could store and pay contribution points, as well as record personal information. It was truly a remarkable invention in the world of cultivation.
Thus, simply by holding the token, the elder teaching could grasp Wang Chen’s basic situation.
Wang Chen bowed once more. “I humbly request your guidance, Senior.”
The elder teaching pondered for a moment. “If what you need is an escape technique, I recommend the Shadowless Divine Movement. It costs three hundred fifty contribution points and will serve you well until you achieve perfect mastery of Qi Training.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Senior!” Wang Chen replied without hesitation. “I would also like to exchange for the Breath Concealment Technique.”
As the name suggested, the Breath Concealment Technique was a spell designed to conceal one’s aura, primarily used for stealth and hiding one’s presence.
Additionally, after applying the Breath Concealment Technique, it would be difficult for others to discern one’s true cultivation level.
This technique happened to counter the Spirit Eye.
Of course, the countering effect was mutual; the effectiveness of spells often depended on the cultivator’s strength and skill level!
As a young cultivator at the fourth realm of Qi Training, Wang Chen currently had no pressing need to hide his cultivation level.
However, the combination of Shadowless Divine Movement and Breath Concealment Technique made for an excellent escape strategy!
He decided to exchange for both.
The Breath Concealment Technique required only thirty contribution points, so after spending a total of three hundred eighty contribution points, two method seeds sealed with spells appeared in his Sea of Consciousness.
The remaining one hundred twenty contribution points were saved for future needs.
After leaving the outer sect headquarters, Wang Chen headed to the Four Seas Trading Association.
This time, he sought out Manager Jin, someone he had dealt with before.
“Greetings, fellow traveler.”
Manager Jin’s memory was evidently remarkable. Upon spotting Wang Chen, he greeted him with a warm smile and inquired, "How’s your progress with the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method?"
"Not bad," Wang Chen replied curtly, not one for idle chatter. He promptly produced the Evil Energy Pearl and asked, "Could you appraise this for me?"
"Oh?" Manager Jin was taken aback. "This Evil Energy Pearl is quite impressive."
He took the crystal bead and scrutinized it carefully before musing, "How about four hundred spirit fragments?"
"Forget it," Wang Chen frowned, his displeasure evident. "I’ll check with Wanbao Pavilion instead."
In reality, Wang Chen had no idea of the Evil Energy Pearl’s true value. The tome "On Evil Spirits" mentioned it, but without a specific price tag.
Yet, he was well aware of the adage that in business, there’s always a bit of trickery.
While the Four Seas Trading Association had a sterling reputation, assuming they always offered fair prices was naive at best.
"Wait!" Manager Jin, eager not to lose the deal, interjected, "What price do you have in mind?"
"Eight hundred," Wang Chen stated.
Manager Jin promptly returned the Evil Energy Pearl, "Perhaps you should inquire at Wanbao Pavilion first."
"Fine," Wang Chen said, stashing the crystal bead back into his storage bag and turning to leave.
A transaction exceeding four hundred spirit fragments was significant enough to warrant a visit to Wanbao Pavilion.
Even if their offer was lower, Wang Chen could always return to haggle further.
As for the matter of losing face…
What’s face compared to spirit fragments?
"Five hundred!" Seeing Wang Chen about to leave, Manager Jin hastily upped his offer, stamping his foot in urgency.
He feared Wang Chen’s youthful pride might lead him to accept a lower price at Wanbao Pavilion rather than return.
That would indeed be a missed opportunity.
Consequently, Wang Chen quickened his pace!
But ultimately, Wang Chen didn’t leave the Four Seas Trading Association.
Manager Jin’s offer of six hundred eighty spirit fragments successfully halted him.
Wang Chen sensed they had reached Manager Jin’s limit.
After sealing the deal, Manager Jin chuckled wryly, "Fellow traveler, I assure you, you won’t find this price at Wanbao Pavilion."
The premium was due to the association’s recent directive from higher-ups to acquire various precious spiritual materials in bulk.
Among these was the Evil Energy Pearl.
Manager Jin also had performance targets to meet!
But such matters are not for outsiders to discuss.
Wang Chen did not take all the spirit stones; instead, he purchased thirty bottles of Vajra Ghee from Manager Jin.
In one go, he spent three hundred spirit fragments.
Vajra Ghee is truly a remarkable product, significantly enhancing the effects of body-refining techniques.
Since beginning his practice of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method, Wang Chen had yet to break through the first layer of bronze skin, but his physique had already increased by 2 points.
He currently had 6 points.
His body and constitution far surpassed what they were when he first arrived here!
The main issue is that this product is consumable and becomes increasingly addictive.
So while he still had a decent amount of spirit stones, he decided to buy a few more bottles to avoid suffering later.
“The price remains the same for now,” Manager Jin told Wang Chen. “But when you return next time, it will likely increase.”
Wang Chen felt a stir in his heart but did not mention buying more. He exchanged a few polite words and left.
As he wandered around Yunshan City, he discovered that the price of white corn had surprisingly risen to eight spirit fragments per pound.
Compared to before, this was double the price!
It’s important to note that the new rice would soon be harvested, and normally, at this time, the price of old rice would slightly decrease; it shouldn’t be skyrocketing like this.
Even though the rice prices had risen significantly, people were still flocking to buy spiritual rice at the Xianliang Shop.
Some cultivators cursed loudly, and the atmosphere was quite tense.
Wang Chen thought about it and decided not to join the crowd of buyers.
Last time, he had already bought a thousand pounds of spiritual rice, and he had no issues with the harvest from his ten acres of spirit fields.
So even knowing that the rice price might rise again, Wang Chen had no intention of hoarding.
Compared to spiritual rice, he needed magical beast meat more to meet his body cultivation needs.
Ultimately, Wang Chen bought five hundred pounds of magical beast meat at the butcher shop and also picked up some common talismans to fill his arsenal.
The price of magical beast meat had also risen, but not as much as the spiritual rice.
It still seemed reasonable.
The additional talismans he bought included Exorcism Talismans, Rebirth Talismans, and Dust Smoke Talismans, all of which performed well in practical use.
This extra expense greatly strengthened Wang Chen’s determination to master talisman-making skills.
Whether he could earn spirit stones was not important; what mattered was that making his own talismans could save spirit stones!
Additionally, he bought two packs of Cloud Mist Spirit Tea.
Wang Chen planned to visit the local head to gather some news—Old Master Sun loved drinking tea.
On his way back, Wang Chen heard sorrowful cries coming from several houses by the roadside.
There were also white flags hanging under the eaves of the farmers’ homes, indicating mourning.
This scene weighed heavily on his heart.
