Chapter 12 Pricey

Words : 2991 Updated : Oct 8th, 2023

Compared to the finely dressed patrons entering and exiting the shop, Stanley's clothing seemed quite shabby. The shopkeepers and attendants were busy serving other customers, and no one paid him any attention. "Where did this pauper come from? Can't even afford a 10,000 tael first-level Spirit Gathering Formation, yet he dares to walk into this shop?" "A first-level Spirit Gathering Formation is actually one of the cheaper formation devices. If it were a second-level formation, it wouldn't even be measured in silver but in Vitality Stones." "Probably just some martial hall kid who's never seen the world. If he has a few hundred taels on him, he'd be lucky." Stanley overheard several people mocking him quietly, which made him feel somewhat helpless. The highest-grade formation device available in the shop was second-level, with prices ranging from 100 to 300 low-grade Vitality Stones. As for first-level devices, they ranged between 10,000 and 50,000 taels of silver. While a Vitality Stone was typically worth around 500 taels, no one was willing to trade them for silver. Silver transactions were mostly reserved for ordinary people and Lian Ti Realm martial artists. For those who had reached the Qi Hai Realm, they could easily amass large amounts of silver, but what they truly valued were Vitality Stones! Vitality Stones were divided into four grades: low, medium, high, and supreme, with higher-grade stones offering better cultivation effects. Feeling somewhat dejected, Stanley left the shop, silently vowing that once he earned enough money, he would return to purchase a formation device to aid in his cultivation. Next, Stanley arrived at a shop that sold medicinal pills. "Fifteen thousand taels for a bottle of Nourishing Pills?" Stanley's eyes widened again as he saw the price tag. Nourishing Pills were the most commonly used first-grade pills for Lian Ti Realm martial artists, helping to speed up the absorption of spiritual energy and the refinement of internal energy. Stanley knew that many wealthy students at the martial hall regularly used these pills to enhance their cultivation. Compared to the Nourishing Pills, some healing medicines, such as Golden Wound Medicine or Bone Mending Paste, were much cheaper. "Still too expensive," Stanley muttered, shaking his head. Unable to afford anything, he left the shop once more. For him, the most pressing matter was to improve his cultivation. Pills and formations were undoubtedly the best ways to achieve this, but given his current financial state, he couldn't afford even the most basic items. After a while, Stanley arrived at yet another shop, this one selling battle weapons. Battle weapons were the weapons used by martial artists for combat. They were classified into three levels—Heaven, Earth, and Mortal—and each level was further divided into four grades: low, middle, high, and top. This shop carried a wide range of weapons, from swords and spears to daggers and hidden weapons. The most eye-catching item was a long purple sword displayed prominently with a sign that read: "Top-grade Mortal Weapon: Demonic Sword!" "A top-grade mortal weapon?" Stanley was taken aback. Weapons of this caliber were only fit for martial masters in the Xian Tian Realm to wield. If a lower-level martial artist dared to use such a weapon, they would only invite trouble. Without significant backing, someone stronger would undoubtedly come to kill them and take it. Clearly, the Demonic Sword was the shop's most prized treasure. "Haha, young man, this Demonic Sword was crafted by Master Jessrev Jia. There are only four battle weapons of this grade in all of Qing Yun City," a middle-aged shopkeeper said with a smile. "How much does a weapon like this cost?" Stanley couldn't help but ask. "Cost?" The shopkeeper sneered, "Putting a price on this treasure is an insult. Even if someone offered me all the money in the world, I wouldn't sell it. This is Master Jessrev Jia's masterpiece!" Stanley clicked his tongue in disbelief. Forget about this top-grade sword; even a low-grade mortal weapon was beyond his reach. From his earlier glance, he saw that the price of a low-grade mortal weapon ranged from 300 to 900 low-grade Vitality Stones. It was clear that battle weapons were far more expensive than formation devices or medicinal pills of the same level. After all, a powerful battle weapon could directly enhance a martial artist's strength. All Stanley had to his name was roughly enough to afford one low-grade Vitality Stone. "Practicing martial arts sure burns through money fast…" After wandering through the marketplace, Stanley finally understood just how difficult martial cultivation could be. Children from ordinary families, even with talent, typically advanced to the fifth or sixth level of the Lian Ti Realm at most. Without sufficient resources, it was nearly impossible to progress further. And what were resources? Resources meant wealth, and wealth meant Vitality Stones! If you had an abundance of Vitality Stones, you could easily acquire advanced martial arts techniques, powerful battle weapons, formation devices, and medicinal pills. With enough resources, even a pig could be turned into a martial arts expert. Stanley understood clearly that for someone like him, with no resources to squander, getting started would be an incredibly difficult challenge. Besides battle weapons, the shop also sold battle armor and clothing. In the world of blacksmiths, there was a distinction between forging and crafting. Weapons were forged, while armor and clothing were crafted. Compared to lethal battle weapons, life-saving battle armor and clothing were twice as expensive. However, this shop also sold ordinary weapons. Although not as powerful as battle weapons, these weapons could still be infused with internal energy and were sufficient for fighting against first-level demonic beasts. "With just a month left before the annual assessment, I should use this time to make some money," Stanley thought to himself, formulating his plan. "Boss, how much is this Azure Sword?" Stanley asked, picking up a sturdy, blue-hued longsword after browsing through the ordinary weapons section for a moment. "Though it's not a battle weapon, with enough internal energy infused, it can break through most first-level demonic beasts' defenses. Since you're young, I'll give you a discount—500 taels of silver!" the shopkeeper said with a smile. Ordinary weapons were usually used by martial artists below the eighth-level of the Lian Ti Realm. Those at the ninth level or the Qi Hai Realm could typically afford a low-grade battle weapon. "Five hundred taels?" Stanley furrowed his brow. He only had 500 taels on him, and if he spent it all on the sword, he'd be left penniless. "How about 400 taels, shopkeeper? I still need to buy some essentials like healing balms for my training trips, and I don't have much money left," Stanley bargained. "Four hundred is too little," the shopkeeper said, shaking his head. "I can see you're a martial hall student from a modest background. The lowest I can go is 450 taels. Not a penny less." Understanding Stanley's situation, the shopkeeper showed a bit of sympathy and gave him a 50-tael discount. While 50 taels didn't seem like much, for a common family, it could take six months to earn that amount. "Thank you, shopkeeper," Stanley said, expressing his gratitude as he counted out the silver to purchase the Azure Sword. No martial artist disliked weapons, and Stanley was no exception. However, weapons were expensive, and until now, he couldn't afford one. The Azure Sword was a little over three feet long, with a broad blade. It was too heavy for most people, but for Stanley, at the fifth-level of the Lian Ti Realm, it was just right. "When I reach the seventh level, I'll be eligible to enter the martial hall's library and choose a third-grade martial technique. I'll be sure to pick a good sword technique." Weapon techniques started at third grade and were far more powerful than second-grade hand-to-hand techniques. Afterward, Stanley went to the martial hall to apply for permission to leave for training. Students weren't allowed to be absent from the martial hall for more than three days without permission, a rule in place for their safety. Stanley planned to hunt at Shui Wu Mountain, about 30 miles from Qing Yun City, and intended to stay there until the annual assessment, so he needed to apply for an extended leave. With the Azure Sword, a pack, some dry food, and water, Stanley set out on the first journey of his martial cultivation path. Upon leaving Qing Yun City, he felt a surge of freedom as he gazed across the vast land and endless sky. "To roam the world with a sword, traveling a thousand miles unimpeded—that's the life of a true martial artist!" he thought. Unrestrained, carefree, and fearless—this was the mindset a martial artist should have. Three hours later, Stanley arrived at the outskirts of Shui Wu Mountain. On his way, he noticed many other martial artists, mostly in groups. As a young and solitary traveler, Stanley attracted some attention. "Where did this little fledgling come from?" "He doesn't look older than fifteen, and his cultivation isn't above the seventh level of the Lian Ti Realm, yet he dares to come to Shui Wu Mountain alone?" "Heh, don't be fooled by his shabby clothes. He could be a low-key young master from a wealthy family, here for some training." "Yeah, right. Those noble kids are cowards. Whenever they go hunting or training, they bring a whole entourage of bodyguards." "I bet this kid's going to get ripped apart by a demonic beast!" Many people whispered among themselves, convinced that Stanley was just a reckless novice, unaware of the dangers. Stanley also noticed some unfriendly glances directed his way. He had heard that some hunters would even fight among themselves over resources. Fortunately, Shui Wu Mountain didn't attract any Qi Hai Realm martial artists. The forest was mainly home to wild beasts, with only a few first-level demonic beasts. As such, most of the hunters in the area were Lian Ti Realm martial artists. Among the wilderness areas near Qing Yun City, Shui Wu Mountain was considered one of the less dangerous spots. Stanley plunged into the forest, fully alert and paying close attention to his surroundings. "This is my first hunt. Hopefully, I'll have some good results," he thought to himself. Leaping through the dense underbrush, Stanley bounded up into the branches of a large tree. Once settled, he closed his eyes, entering that special state of understanding, where he could sense the mysteries of life and death. Using his connection with the Life and Death Bead, he extended a peculiar sense, spreading out like tendrils around him. Though his eyes were closed, every living being within a two-to-three-mile radius appeared in his awareness, each one presenting itself in different forms, as if he were seeing them with his own eyes. This was the third special ability Stanley discovered after fusing with the Life and Death Bead. Aside from sensing life threads and controlling the energy of life and death, he had now developed the ability to detect the life energy of any living creature within a certain range. The stronger the creature, the more intense its life energy would be. Suddenly, Stanley's eyes snapped open, a slight smile tugging at his lips. He pressed his feet against the branch, leaping swiftly toward a specific direction. "Hissss!" A black-and-white striped viper, as thick as an arm, lay hidden among the dense leaves of the tree. Its forked tongue flicked in and out, while its cold, vertical pupils locked on the figure quickly approaching its hiding spot. The snake, believing it was well concealed, opened its mouth slightly, exposing its long, sharp fangs. It waited patiently for its prey to pass, ready to strike. "Fifteen meters, ten meters, five meters..." The distance between them rapidly closed. "Clang!" A flash of cold steel sliced through the air, scattering leaves like rain. The viper's head, the size of a fist, was severed, blood splattering as it rolled to the side. Its mouth was still agape, fangs exposed, as if, in its final moments, it couldn't believe it had been killed just as it was about to ambush its target. "A black-striped viper. Its venom is incredibly deadly. Without an antidote, even a Lian Ti Realm martial artist would die within ten breaths of being bitten!" Stanley remarked, satisfied with his first successful strike. The black-striped viper wasn't a demonic beast, but it was still a dangerous creature. Even an inexperienced martial artist at the sixth-level of Lian Ti Realm could find themselves in deadly peril if they encountered it. Stanley used his sword to pry open the snake's mouth and carefully extracted its fangs. He then removed the venom sac and gallbladder, placing them in a small box before tucking them into his pack. In truth, the snake's meat was considered a delicacy and was highly prized by the restaurants in Qing Yun City. However, the snake was over two meters long, and Stanley didn't find it practical to carry its entire body. "Compared to the meat, the real money lies in the fangs, venom sac, and gallbladder. All three combined should easily fetch around 400 taels of silver," Stanley mused. While martial cultivation was certainly expensive, martial artists could also make considerable profits. The value of a single, non-demonic snake could reach several hundred taels of silver, so the parts of a true demonic beast would be worth far more.

Chapter 12 Pricey

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