Chapter 49: Chapter 49: 22 Spirit Stones_l
Translator: 549690339 |
“May I ask what the name of your cultivation technique is?
“Blackwater Cultivation.”
“Ah, I see. I’m afraid you might not fetch a good price for it since the first seven levels are widely available in the market.”
“My technique can be cultivated up to the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, and comes with three accompanying spells. They can be used all the way to the verge of Foundation Establishment.
Upon hearing this, Qi Er promptly patted his chest, assuring that he would
fetch a good price.
“However, if you trust me, you could sell this technique directly to Elder He. He is a stall owner who specializes in selling cultivation techniques, and he has always wanted to collect the complete Blackwater Cultivation technique. He would definitely see the value in having a complete copy of the technique with all nine levels and three accompanying spells. Even if you sell it to a stall owner, they will probably end up reselling it to him; it would be more straightforward to skip the middleman.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai’s eyes brightened.
Sure enough, seeking out these local wheelers and dealers when selling items was wisdom. He was also aware of the old man He who sold techniques; it was he who sold the seven levels of Blackwater Cultivation in Southstream Market.
If Chen Mobai were to set up a stall to sell the nine levels of Blackwater Cultivation, it would be like blatantly trying to usurp He’s business, which would certainly be deeply offensive. It would be better to directly sell it to He. Not only could he exchange it for some spirit stones, but he could also earn some goodwill.
Qi Er brought Chen Mobai to a stall. After striking up a conversation with an elderly man sporting a goatee and a clear complexion, the three of them quickly got down to business.
“Very good, the previous seven levels are all authentic.
The old man was named He Qun, a cultivator of the seventh level of Qi
Cultivation. He took the books in which Chen Mobai had freshly copied the first eight levels of the technique from Chen Mobai. After carefully verifying them, he confirmed that the technique was correct and nodded approvingly.
“I intend to sell this complete copy of Blackwater Cultivation to Elder He. How much would it be worth?”
“How much do you wish to sell it for?”
“Selling price… twenty spirit stones, what do you say?
Chen Mobai had spent quite a bit of time in front of He Qun’s stall previously and was well aware of the prices for which he sold Blackwater Cultivation. The price he quoted was right on the limit, causing He’s eyes to narrow as he naturally started to barter.
“Friend, among loose cultivators, not many require a cultivation technique that goes up to the ninth level. Although your version of Blackwater Cultivation is complete, it is difficult to cultivate and thus not easy to sell. Furthermore, I already possess the first seven levels and two accompanying spells. I think asking for 20 spirit stones is a bit excessive.”
Chen Mobai didn’t have much experience with haggling, so when he heard what He Qun had to say, he was stuck and didn’t know how to respond.
“Elder He, it’s known that Blackwater Cultivation might be difficult to sell for others, but isn’t it ideally suited for you?”
At this point, Qi Er chimed in, taking over the conversation.
“Oh? And what do you mean by that?”
He Qun squinted his eyes at Qi Er, a hidden threat radiating from his gaze. Qi Er somewhat recoiled, but remembering his slim chances at cultivation, he mustered his courage and spoke.
“Elder He, aren’t you cultivating Blackwater Cultivation? For you, it should be necessary to collect the complete version. After all, for us loose cultivators, reaching the ninth level of Qi Cultivation is the only way to join one of the seven major sects and have a chance at getting a Foundation Building Pill.
Upon hearing this, He Qun’s eyes widened in shock, and he glared coldly at Qi
Er.
“Elder, isn’t it true that the later levels of the technique are worth more, and that only after mastering the Cold Ice Technique can this cultivation technique show its full potential?”
Once Qi Er spoke up, Chen Mobai snapped out of his daze. He stepped forward to interrupt the glare from He. Sensing his cultivation level, He grudgingly nodded.
“Fine then, 20 spirit stones. But you have to swear that after you’ve sold this copy of Blackwater Cultivation to me, you won’t sell it to anyone else.” Chen Mobai gave it some thought. Although he felt that selling the exclusive rights to this technique for 20 spirit stones was a little unjustified, since he had decided to focus on the business of talismans later on, acquiring start-up funds sooner was the right move. Thus, he nodded immediately.
“Here.”
He Qun counted up twenty spirit stones from his grey cloth bag and reluctantly handed them over to Chen Mobai. Chen Mobai then passed over the ninth level of Blackwater Cultivation and the Cold Ice Technique.
After they had each checked their merchandise, they looked at each other.
Chen Mobai then waved and left the stall with Qi Er.
Next, he sold three Juling Pill bottles bearing the Back to Sky Valley logo to a cultivator who specialized in selling pills. However, since they were secondhand, despite no loss of potency, they could only sell for 2 spirit stones.
Even so, Chen Mobai was very satisfied.
The remaining Spirit Revitalizing Pill bottle, which didn’t bear any logo, was recognized by the pill-selling cultivator to be in good condition, but he still refused to purchase it.
The final item, the hand crossbow, was also successfully sold for 450 taels of gold thanks to Qi Er’s introduction. He even helped to exchange the gold for gold tickets at the Five Elements sect’s bank.
While selling the medicine, a brilliant idea to make money came to Chen Mobai.
Could he purchase empty pill bottles from Back to Sky Valley and make a massive profit out of it?
However, it was just a thought. He still wanted to conduct business in a respectable manner. His education on Earth had taught Chen Mobai that maintaining a good reputation was a surefire way to keep the money flowing. “You worked hard today. Here’s a talisman for you, as a token of appreciation.” With 22 spirit stones and a stack of gold tickets in his arms, Chen Mobai was in high spirits. He took out a Green Arrow Talisman and gave it to Qi Er.
“Thank you, Elder. If you have similar work in the future, feel free to call upon me. Here in Southstream Market, there’s no one we don’t know.”
Although Qi Er didn’t know the grade of the talisman, he knew that even the lowest-grade talismans were worth over a hundred taels of gold in the market. Without any hesitation, he joyously accepted the Green Arrow Talisman from Chen Mobai.
“By the way, will He Qun cause any trouble for you since you’ve offended him today?”
As Chen Mobai was about to leave, he remembered this issue. He didn’t want Qi Er to face any repercussions because of him.
“Don’t worry, Elder. Though our cultivation levels are low, we have people backing us. Our society leader happens to be the Liu family’s Guest Elder who is quite a prominent figure in Southstream Market. He Qun is known to act prudently and wouldn’t harm me over such a minor issue.”
Qi Er patted his chest and boasted about his connections.
“The Liu family? The one that breeds the Azure Blood Carp?”
Chen Mobai thought of the accounts recorded by Liu Yanpei. The document specifically mentioned this family. The Azure Blood Carp fry in Lake Azure Cloud were all purchased from this family.
“Yes, the very same Liu family, one of the four Foundation Establishment families in Southstream Market. Reportedly, they’ve even connected with the Five Elements sect. A few years ago, they sent two children with True Spirit Roots to the Five Elements sect. It seems like they are planning to fully commit to this sect.”
Qi Er spoke in a secretive manner. Chen Mobai didn’t understand any of this, so he could only reply vaguely.
However, thanks to this reminder, before he left, he went to the largest bookstore in the market again and bought the unfinished “Introduction to the Major Sects of the Eastern Wilderness”, along with “An Introduction to Local Cultivation in Nanxi”, “Distribution Map of Cultivation Powers in Yun Country”, and others..