Chapter 85: Mount Purchase in the Northern District, On the Verge of Departure, A Sudden Change
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This shop was located on the outskirts of the city and wasn’t considered high-end. However, it was bustling with people trading pills. After all, quality goods came at quality prices—and the majority of rogue cultivators were poor.
Yu Xian entered the shop, ignoring the pills displayed on the shelves. He went straight to the counter and said blandly, “Fellow Daoist, do you accept pills here?”
The middle-aged woman behind the counter initially assumed Yu Xian was here to buy pills. His question took her aback for a moment before she nodded and replied, “Of course. Does Fellow Daoist have quality pills to offer?”
“Just a few,” Yu Xian replied in a hoarse voice that matched his middle-aged appearance.
His expression was cold and his demeanor unapproachable. Without elaborating, he placed sixteen bottles of second-grade pills on the counter and said, “Give me a fair price for these.”
The female cultivator had seen her share of shady characters. She picked up the bottles and began examining them without asking unnecessary questions.
Each of the sixteen bottles held a different type of pill—no duplicates. Clearly, these were acquired from various sources, likely from multiple owners. Combined with Yu Xian’s cold aura and faint killing intent, it was obvious how he had obtained them.
Still, the shop’s policy was not to question origins, only value. After quickly appraising the pills, she smiled and said, “These sixteen second-grade top-quality pills—I’ll offer 700 spirit stones. How about it?”
“Seven hundred?” Yu Xian’s gaze turned frosty. “Do you take me for a fool? I know their worth. One thousand, or I’ll go elsewhere. Even at that price, you’re profiting well.”
“Uh… haha,” the woman forced a laugh and nodded. “If you insist, then one thousand it is.”
In truth, the sixteen bottles could easily sell for nearly two thousand spirit stones. She’d still profit handsomely even with this deal.
Yu Xian didn’t haggle further and nodded. The woman happily stored away the pills and handed over a storage pouch filled with spirit stones.
Yu Xian verified the contents briefly and tucked it away. As he transferred the spirit stones into his own storage pouch, he casually asked, “By the way, where in Qingquan City can one buy spirit beasts?”
“Spirit beasts?” The woman was still delighted from her profit and cheerfully replied, “You’ll find them in the Northern District. Battle pets, mounts, livestock—even birds and beasts used for alchemy are sold there.”
“Got it.” Yu Xian nodded, left the now-empty pouch on the counter, and walked out.
The Northern District was easy to locate. After navigating the streets for a bit, he strode purposefully in that direction.
Qingquan City was divided into five main areas: East, South, West, North, and the Inner City.
The Inner City was reserved for the direct descendants of the Lu clan and took up fifty li—it was the true Qingquan Mountain Villa.
The outer districts had different purposes:
East District: High-end goods, too expensive for average cultivators.
South District: Close to the Inner City, rich in spiritual energy. Residences here were expensive and housed wealthy cultivators.
West District: Gambling, entertainment, pleasure—everything for cultivators to indulge in.
North District: Trade of spirit beasts, low-grade herbs, alchemy materials, and pills. It was also the only area where rogue cultivators could set up stalls. It had the largest land area aside from the Inner City and was where poor cultivators gathered.
After about half an incense stick of time, Yu Xian arrived in the Northern District.
It was far more chaotic than he had imagined—stalls everywhere, packed crowds, the stench of sweat, rot, herbs, pills, and spirit beast droppings filled the air, creating a noxious mix.
Yu Xian wrinkled his nose slightly but remained composed. He pushed through the crowd toward the source of beastly roars and screeches—the spirit beast trading area.
Finally, his efforts paid off. If he could buy a flying mount today, he could head to Baiyun Sect immediately—that would be a huge success.
Excited, Yu Xian stepped forward.
The spirit beast market wasn’t crowded—only a few dozen people were browsing. After all, spirit beasts—whether mounts, pets, ingredients, or resources—were expensive luxuries, even if only at the first or second grade.
But Yu Xian had plenty of spirit stones now.
While flaunting wealth was usually unwise, buying a mount left him no choice but to reveal a bit of it.
He looked around but didn’t spot any Ten-Thousand-Mile Cranes. Clearly, those were high-grade mounts raised only by top sects or clans more powerful than Qingquan Villa.
Unsure of the capabilities of other birds—speed, endurance, etc.—he stopped aimlessly wandering and approached a Lu clan cultivator overseeing some beasts.
Bowing slightly, Yu Xian greeted, “Greetings, Fellow Daoist.”
“Oh, greetings,” the Lu cultivator returned the gesture, a bit surprised.
“I need to travel far and seek a flying mount. Could you recommend one?”
The Lu cultivator saw Yu Xian’s politeness and smiled. “If it’s for long-distance travel, then the Cloud Heron is your best choice.”
“Cloud Heron?” Yu Xian asked. “What kind of spirit beast is that?”
“Come, I’ll show you,” said the Lu cultivator cheerfully, leading Yu Xian deeper into the market.
Half an incense stick later, they arrived at a large cage. Inside were eight white heron-like birds, each about five feet tall with wingspans of roughly 15 feet.
“Here they are,” said the Lu cultivator. “The Cloud Heron. Very fast, faster than a Foundation Establishment novice. While it tires quicker than some, it can fly for two to three hours, rest one, and continue. It can travel up to 8,500 li in a day.”
He looked at Yu Xian with admiration. “If you’re going far, this is perfect. Only the delicate Ten-Thousand-Mile Crane is better. Ground beasts don’t compare.”
“I see,” Yu Xian nodded, cupping his hands. “Thank you for the insight. How much for one?”
The Lu cultivator smiled. “Since you ask, I won’t deceive you. Just 7,000 spirit stones for a second-grade Cloud Heron. I’ll even throw in a month’s supply of beast pellets.”
“Seven thousand…” Yu Xian fell silent.
The Lu cultivator smiled patiently. “Honestly, I usually sell for 7,500. You seem decent, so I’m giving you a discount. If that’s too steep, I can show you the Faithful Kite—cheaper but only travels 6,000 li a day.”
“Forget it!” Yu Xian nodded firmly. “I’ll take the Cloud Heron!”
“Good choice!” The Lu cultivator laughed. “With this beast, mountains and rivers are no obstacle!”
Yu Xian sighed but said nothing as the Lu cultivator went into the pen, summoned a Cloud Heron, and tied it with a rope.
“Once you’ve paid, take it outside the North Gate. Ride only after you’ve gone 10 li. That’s Lu clan protocol.”
“When in Rome, do as the locals do,” Yu Xian said calmly. “I understand.”
“Excellent,” said the Lu cultivator, handing him a trade pouch.
Yu Xian filled it with 7,000 spirit stones, handed it back, and lamented, “Three to five years of savings, all gone in an instant.”
The Lu cultivator beamed after a glance at the contents. “If you’re off on a great journey, those stones will return tenfold. The Cloud Heron is yours now!”
He handed over the rope and a cloth pouch. “Here’s a month’s worth of beast pellets. If you run out, you’ll need to hunt for food—otherwise, it might run away.”
“Thank you,” Yu Xian said, eager to depart.
He added, “Actually, could I buy more beast pellets? To avoid hassle later.”
The Lu cultivator laughed. “Forget selling—I’ll gift you three extra bags.”
“That won’t do,” Yu Xian protested. “You’ve helped me a lot. I insist on paying. I’ll buy fifteen more. Quote me a price!”
The Lu cultivator grinned. “Fine, 50 spirit stones for all fifteen.”
Yu Xian paid without hesitation, gathered the extra pouches, and said, “I must go. If fate allows, we shall meet again!”
“Fate willing!” the Lu cultivator bowed and left, not even asking Yu Xian’s name—he knew they’d likely never cross paths again.
Watching him leave, Yu Xian exhaled, eyes gleaming. He tugged the rope and turned to go.
But before he could take a few steps—
BOOM!
A voice like thunder shook the heavens:
“Qingquan Villa! Hand over the murderer! Or I, Liu Jinyun, will wipe Qingquan off the map today!!”
RUMBLE—
Accompanying that shout, massive light pillars shot up in all directions, forming a city-wide protective formation, blocking out the sky!
