Ohmph!
Li Fuchen was battling a Metal Claw Wolf atop of an uneven terrain.
The Metal Claw Wolf had a weaker defense than the Steel Boned Jackal, but it's offense was far better. Using its claws that were half a meter long, it could destroy the trunk of a sizable tree with ease.
Cheng!
Spark flew as Li Fuchen's steel sword slid along the wolf's metal claw and found it's entry into the wolf's throat.
"A total of 4 moves, there is still room for improvement."
After the encounter with the Steel Boned Jackal, Li Fuchen was able to face the Metal Claw Wolf with composure and required just 4 slashes to take it down.
Had anyone known of this, their jaws would've dropped.
For a fifth level Qi Stage expert, it would be exhausting to go against the Steel Boned Jackal or the Metal Claw Wolf. One on one, not many fifth level Qi Stage experts would dare to face them. Yet, Li Fuchen could kill both of them without much effort. His skills would probably outshine the majority of Qi Stage cultivators.
Obviously a regular fifth level Qi stage expert would never have been able to attain the completion stage for 2 middle-tier, yellow class sword arts. Even though Li Fuchen was currently at fifth level of the Qi Stage, his skills had long overceded it. The likes of a Metal Claw Wolf, was nothing.
Steel Boned Jackal, Metal Claw Wolf, Rage Bear, Gold Patterned Leopard…
In one day, Li Fu Chen had taken down 4 ferocious Class 1 demonic beasts. As for beasts at the level of Green Striped Snake, he had already taken care of more than ten of them.
As the number of battles multiplied, Li Fuchen's live combat skills tremendously improved. His sword skills were no longer like before. Even though they were exquisite, there was still hints of stiffness.
***
As the sky darkened, Li Fuchen rushed back to the Li Clan.
Today's harvest was great. 7 stalks of low-tier, yellow class herbs, 20 metal claws, and 5 beast pelts. Valued at 20 gold coins.
Back at the Li Clan, the sky was covered in darkness, Li Fuchen had plans to sort out the herbs and beast materials.
"Fuchen, what were you busy with today?" Asked Li Tianhan while at the dining table.
"Dad, I settled down somewhere to practice my sword skills."Li Fuchen didn't dare to reveal his trip to the Misty Mountains.
"Mmm.." Li Tianhan didn't harbour any doubts, as when he was young, he often liked to find a quiet place to practice his sword skills rather than staying within the clan.
After dinner, Li Fuchen returned to his room.
Crossed leg and seated on a mat in his room. Li Fuchen started to revolve the Red Jade Technique. He then took out a jade bottle, and from it, he swallowed a medicinal pill.
This was a low-tier, yellow class spirit pill, and it is valued at 20 gold coins. When cultivating, resources are just as important as talent.
With sufficient resources, it could provide a shortcut for cultivation. But solely relying on it is not advisable as either As there will be a stage where the body will not be able to keep up and get stuck for a long time.
Once the spirit pill was fully refined, Li Fuchen could feel a significant surge in his cultivation and was close to the peak of the fifth level of the Qi Stage.
***
The next morning, Li Fuchen arrived in the city to visit the Demon Refinery.
"Young master Fuchen, for every metal claw, it is 1 silver, 20 will be a total of 2 gold pieces. Among the 4 beast pelts, the Gold Patterned Leopard's is considerably better and is priced at 2 gold coins. For the Rage Bear, it's 5 silver. The Metal Claw Wolf is at 2 silver and the Steel Boned Jackal at 1 silver. For a total of 7 gold and 7 silver coins, what do you think?" Offered the shop keeper at the Demon Refinery, after appraising all the materials on the counter.
"That's fine.", Li Fuchen nodded. The Demon Refinery was the Li Clan's business, it's prices would surely be better than the other clans'
Departing from the Demon Refinery, Li Fuchen headed to the Li Clan's herb shop and sold 7 stalks of low-tier, yellow class herbs for 11 gold coins.
It was close to noon, there wasn't enough time to visit the Misty Mountains, as he needed to be back by early evening, and the travelling time required to and fro was 1 hour in each direction.
Seeing that he had free time, Li Fuchen started to shop around Yunwu City.
Since losing his talent, Li Fuchen hadn't shopped in this familiar city for an entire year.
Unconsciously, he found himself in front of the Treasure shop.
This was an accessory shop, but it specialised in accessories for martial artists. These martial accessories could help boost one's cultivation.
There was a healthy traffic going in and out of the shop, showing that the business was great. Those people that entered and left were all Qi Stage practitioners. Occasionally, an Origin Stage practitioner would visit as well.
"Big brother Fuchen!"
Just as Li Fuchen entered, a shy voice could be heard from behind.
"Xiaodie."
As Li Fuchen looked back, he saw a beautiful and delicate looking lassie.
Li Xiaodie, belonging to one of the Li Clan's branch families. Her parents were not of noble status, but Li Fuchen remembered her well. When he lost his talent, the kind hearted Xiaodie encouraged him.
"I heard Big brother Fuchen's talent has been restored. Xiaodie would like to congratulate you."Xiaodie gave him a sweet smile.
Li Fuchen laughed heartily, "I have yet to thank you for your encouragement then."
"Big brother Fuchen is giving me too much credit, how could my encouragement be of any use."Li Xiaodie gave him an earnest look.
Li Fuchen replied, "You are here for an accessory right? Let's take a look inside."
"Then I shall not interrupt Big brother Fuchen."
Indeed Li Xiaodie was here to look for accessories. Just a few months ago, she had her eye on a bracelet. But during that time, she did not have enough gold. After saving for a few months, coupled with the allowance she got from her parents, she finally had just enough.
Li Fuchen observed that, the accessories' prices in this treasure shop was eye-opening. The cheapest item cost 20 gold coins, the next item that seemed slightly better was 50-60 gold coins. The items that were placed deeper in the shop could easily be a hundred to a few hundred gold coins.
"I would like to take a look at this ring."
In the depths of a crystal display cabinet, Li Fuchen spotted a blue gem ring. The ring was impeccable, it was silverish gold in color. Attached to it was an elliptic shaped blue gem, near the size of a pinky. The ring was dazzling within the display cabinet.
The staff recognized Li Fuchen, thus, he brought out the ring with haste and described, "Young master Fuchen, this ring is a new item in our shop, the blue gem atop is of a high grade. The ability to converge energy from the heaven and earth is excellent. The ring's body is made with frosted ingot, which is known for its robustness."
As Li Fuchen evaluated the ring, he thought that the price was agreeable.
Blue gems are energy crystals, the ability to converge heaven and earth energy can be graded into 4 tiers: Low, Mid, High, and Peak tiers. In Yunwu City, high tier crystals was as rare as it can get. As for peak tier crystals, even if one was in the market, one couldn't simply buy it.
"I'm just browsing, I will purchase it next time."
This ring cost 300 gold coins, Li Fuchen was a thrifty individual, but he had only amassed a wealth of nearly 100 gold coins.
Although the shop attendant did not utter a word, it was obvious that he had a look of despise on his face. 'I knew the Li Clan's Li Fuchen was trash, but I didn't think he was a pauper as well. As a major clan's young master that doesn't even have 300 gold coins. In comparison to the other 3 major clans' young masters, he surely is the loser of the bunch.'
"Wasn't it just 55 gold coins last month? How did it get inflated to 70 gold coins?!"
"This bracelet is the last of its kind. 70 gold coins is reasonable."
"But I do not have so much gold now, can I put it on a tab first?"
"My apologies, our shop does not sell on credit."
At the front of the shop, Li Xiaodie and a shop staff was in debate, and the tone of the staff was unpleasant.
"What's the matter Xiaodie?" Li Fuchen came closer.
Li Xiaodie gave a reluctant last look at the bracelet that was inlaid with 3 crystal gems and shook her head, "It's nothing Big brother Fuchen."
"How much more do you need? Is this enough?"
Li Fuchen gave a quick glance at the bracelet in the hands of the shop staff. It was an exquisite piece, its colour was indigo, embedded on it were 3 low-tier crystal gems, red, yellow, and blue respectively. It looked splendid and magnificent, he pull out all his gold and pushed it to Li Xiaodie and suggested, " This is the last piece, one you miss it, there will not be a second chance."
"Big brother Fuchen…"
Li Xiaodie's hesitation was shown on her face.
"Buy it! Just pay me in back when you can."Li Fuchen said as he gestured.
"Big brother Fuchen, I promise to return this money to you."
Li Xiaodie was too in love with this bracelet, not only was it elegant, it was pragmatic as well. Under the coax of Li Fuchen, she accepted the gold from him and took out 15 gold. Adding it to her current 55 gold coins to acquire the bracelet, and then return the rest of the gold back to Li Fuchen.
Staring at the bracelet in her hand, her eyes squinted as they were filled with joy.
"I shall have this bracelet."
At this moment, a delicate hand took the bracelet away from Li Xiaodie's hand.