Wandering Merchant

A traveling merchant came from the south.

Among the billions upon billions of cultivators in the Cultivation World, traveling merchants were a very special breed.

They belonged neither to any sect nor were they purely Rogue Cultivators.

Traveling merchants went from village to village and through the wilds; wherever humans gathered, their figures could always be found.

Many traveling merchants even did business with demonkind.

This traveling merchant who entered Wang Chen's sight was in his thirties, ordinary-looking, with an amiable smile.

The copper bells hanging from the canopy of his pack cart jingled brightly, drawing over quite a few farmers' children.

They skipped and hopped along behind him.

A few children also brought over herbs they had usually dug up and gathered, trading them with the traveling merchant for Rice Candy.

Most traveling merchants only dealt in small goods.

This one was no exception. A handful of dried Fish Scale Grass could be exchanged from him for half a tael of Rice Candy.

The children who got candy beamed with delight, while those who had nothing to trade were green with envy.

Some elderly people also came over at the sound, trading with the merchant for Rice Wine.

Both Rice Candy and Rice Wine were made from Tribute Rice brought in from the mortal world.

They contained no spiritual energy, but they were cheap and could satisfy the appetites of those at the Bottom Layer of the Cultivation World.

Besides bartering for goods, the merchant also sold needles, thread, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, Powdered Medicine, and Talismans.

Although all these things could be bought in Yunyang City.

Nothing beat the convenience of buying them right on one's doorstep.

Aunties and grannies appeared one after another.

The tiny crossroads by the farmstead quickly became the CBD for ten miles around.

Wang Chen enjoyed quite a lively spectacle.

The traveling merchant's hands and feet were exceedingly nimble. In less than half an incense stick's time, he had served a whole crowd of customers.

He tidied up his pack cart and continued on his way.

When he reached Wang Chen and Wang Tieniu, the traveling merchant smiled and cupped his hands. "Greetings, you two."

Traveling merchants did business in all directions, and what they valued most was harmony bringing wealth.

His attitude could not have been better.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Wang Chen rose and returned the salute, then asked politely, "May I ask if you buy Earth Rhinoceros?"

Though traveling merchants were counted among petty traders and peddlers.

None who worked in this line were soft targets.

They often had to face threats from Bandits and Ruffians, demons, devils, and Evil Spirits.

Anyone without some ability would have long since died by the roadside and been buried in a ditch.

"Of course."

Upon hearing Wang Chen's question, the traveling merchant immediately stopped. "Twenty shattered spirits per jin."

"Twenty shattered spirits per jin?"

Wang Chen frowned. "The price is that low?"

If his memory was correct, the purchase price at Yunyang City's apothecaries was one lower spirit for three jin.

Yet this traveling merchant was offering one lower spirit for five jin.

The difference was considerable.

The traveling merchant explained, "That's the price in the city now as well. It may even fall further in a few days."

Wang Chen understood.

He did not suspect the other party of trying to fool him.

Though merchants were said to be without profit and without scruples.

In places with rules and order, traveling merchants often cared greatly about their reputations.

Once their name was ruined, no one would be willing to trade with them again.

They might even be driven out directly.

The identity plaque of a Yunyang Sect outer sect disciple still hung at Wang Chen's waist.

There was no way the traveling merchant could have missed it.

On second thought, the man's explanation was perfectly reasonable.

The Earth Rhinoceros purchase price in Wang Chen's memory was from before.

Now that many Spirit Fields had been hit by the Insect Plague, everyone was busy exterminating them. Prices were bound to fall.

"Deal!"

Wang Chen decisively emptied all the Earth Rhinoceroses from his storage pouch.

With all the places the wandering merchant had been and all he had seen, even he was taken aback.

The number of Earth Rhinoceroses Wang Chen had just produced was truly enormous.

There were even seven hulking demonized Earth Rhinoceroses among them!

And Wang Chen was so young.

The merchant gave Wang Chen a long, deep look before beginning the count.

After weighing them, the total weight of over a hundred ordinary Earth Rhinoceroses came to nearly thirty catties.

The wandering merchant settled the account as thirty catties outright.

He gave Wang Chen six Lower Spirit stones.

As for the seven demonized Earth Rhinoceroses, he calculated those separately. "How about one Lower Spirit stone each?"

Wang Chen nodded. "Fine."

He had previously asked Old Sun about it. This was the going price for demonized Earth Rhinoceroses.

The sharp drop in the purchase price of ordinary Earth Rhinoceroses clearly had not affected demonized Earth Rhinoceroses.

After all, demonized Earth Rhinoceroses were materials for refining Pills.

They were on an entirely different level from ordinary Earth Rhinoceroses used to compound Powdered Medicine.

Their numbers were far smaller as well.

With another thirteen Lower Spirit stones in hand, Wang Chen's total assets reached forty-five Lower Spirit stones!

"Fellow Daoist, impressive."

Once the transaction was complete, the wandering merchant praised him. "I've collected quite a few Earth Rhinoceroses these past two days, but your haul is the largest."

"With such capability, your promotion to the inner sect is just around the corner!"

Wang Chen smiled. "I'll gladly accept your auspicious words."

The wandering merchant chuckled and cupped his hands in farewell, then swayed away with the box basket on his back.

After the wandering merchant left, Wang Chen had more or less recovered.

He continued working in the fields.

The moment he resumed, Wang Chen immediately sensed the difference.

His Gengjin Finger had advanced to the Minor Accomplishment stage, but without finding any Earth Rhinoceroses, he could not yet experience the change.

But after his Divine Soul increased by 1 point, once he activated his Spiritual Sense to Empower his five senses, his perceptive range abruptly expanded.

It also became sharper and clearer.

In an instant, he discovered three Earth Rhinoceroses at varying distances!

This surge in Insight Ability undoubtedly greatly increased Wang Chen's efficiency at exterminating insects.

Then, the Minor Accomplishment stage Gengjin Finger gave him another surprise.

During the Beginner and Proficient stages, Wang Chen's grasp of this skill had been knowing how, but not why.

Upon entering Minor Accomplishment, it was as though he had suddenly attained enlightenment.

He came to understand a few of the Gengjin Finger's mysteries.

He could now comprehend, control, and even analyze this spell from a higher level.

As a result, when Wang Chen cast the Gengjin Finger again, it became easier, more precise, and less taxing.

Paired with the heightened perception brought by his improved Divine Soul, Wang Chen cleared the Spirit Fields at nearly twice his previous speed!

Thus, shortly after noon, all twenty-seven Spirit Fields belonging to Wang Tieniu's family had been cleared.

Wang Chen harvested another sixteen Earth Rhinoceroses.

And two demonized Earth Rhinoceroses.

It was worth mentioning that

these two demonized Earth Rhinoceroses had likewise been killed through the soil while in a dormant state!

"Brother Wang, you're something else!"

Wang Tieniu could not help giving Wang Chen a thumbs-up. "I was right to hire you."

His cultivation and strength were far greater than Wang Chen's.

He was also a deft hand at Cultivating Spirit Fields.

Yet he had been utterly helpless against the Earth Rhinoceroses ravaging his Spirit Rice.

Who would have thought Wang Chen would be so capable!

Wang Tieniu, having rid himself of this grave threat, beamed with delight. "Come, come, come—let's have a drink at my place."

"Little Wang!"

"Brother Wang!"

No sooner had Wang Tieniu finished speaking than a burst of commotion suddenly rose from nearby.

A group of farmers and farmwives hurried over, chattering all at once as they surrounded Wang Chen.

"Hurry and come take a look at my place!"

"I got here first!"

"Pah! I was clearly here first!"

"Brother Wang, please hurry and save my family's Spirit Field!"

"What a sin..."

They tugged at Wang Chen's sleeves, arms, and trousers, leaving him in a state of unprecedented disarray.

He felt as though he had turned into a Ginseng Doll.

Fortunately, Wang Tieniu righteously made a move and rescued Wang Chen from the depths of misery.

It turned out Earth Rhinoceroses had also been discovered in these families' Spirit Fields.

When they learned that Wang Chen was skilled at exterminating pests, they had rushed over to beg for help.

Wang Chen truly suffered—and enjoyed it!

Here is the first update.

PS: A friend suggested I adjust the update schedule, splitting it into one update in the morning and one in the afternoon. They said it might increase follow-up reading, so I'll give it a try.

Those who prefer reading two chapters at once can come back in the evening. It can't be helped during the new-book period; I hope everyone understands.