In the Bag

A Spiritual Root's Root Value would not change as a cultivator's cultivation rose, but the Sky-Mending Pill could accomplish that. However, a cultivator only had one chance in their lifetime to take a Sky-Mending Pill. As for how much it could raise the Root Value after being consumed, that depended on one's own fortune and destiny.

After noticing Wei Yunqing's unusual behavior, Wei Yunxi swiftly searched through the novel chapters in her mind and discovered the other girl's purpose.

Perhaps Wei Yunqing did not know of the Sky-Mending Pill's existence, but like a cat that had caught the scent of fish, she kept circling around Wei Yunxi. She even neglected her imminent breakthrough.

That was why Wei Yunxi had pretended not to notice her probing, agreed to go to the Outer Sect Market with her, then adjusted her cultivation to the Qi Refining third layer ahead of time. She deliberately provoked Wei Yunqing, forcing her to prioritize raising her cultivation for the sake of her pride.

Meanwhile, while Wei Yunqing was breaking through to the Qi Refining third layer and unable to leave the Cultivation Hall, Wei Yunxi took Wei Zonghao to the Market to hunt for treasures.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly. After Wei Yunxi and Wei Zonghao arrived at the Outer Sect Market, she deliberately led him wandering around aimlessly, claiming they should compare goods from three shops and spend the fewest spirit stones possible to assemble a full set of talisman-making tools.

Wei Zonghao was happy to accompany her, taking it as a chance to broaden his horizons. He also asked Yunxi for the secret behind her rapid progress in cultivation. They both had Three Spiritual Roots, and he had cultivated for a year longer than Yunxi, so there was no reason for him to be surpassed by so much now.

Wei Yunxi generously shared her secret:

"Every time, I first exhaust all the Spiritual Qi in my Dantian before I begin cultivating. That way, my cultivation grows faster."

Wei Zonghao immediately asked:

"Really? How do you exhaust the spiritual power in your body?"

"By practicing the Five Elements Basic Spell. After today, I plan to use talisman drawing to consume the Spiritual Qi in my body. I wonder how many talismans cultivation at the Qi Refining third layer can support me in drawing. Once I exhaust my spiritual power, meditating to cultivate afterward will surely yield twice the result with half the effort."

Wei Zonghao nodded as though enlightened, then smiled and thanked Yunxi.

Wei Yunxi was now standing before a stall, looking at the sign erected in front of it. It bore four words: "Pills Only in Exchange."

Wei Yunxi swept her divine sense across the stall and identified her target. Then she clasped her hands and asked:

"Senior Brother, I have taken a liking to this rosewood jewelry box. What kind of pills would you like to exchange it for?"

The young man sitting cross-legged at the stall said:

"I am about to break through to the late Qi Refining stage. I need pills that can help with the breakthrough."

After giving it some thought, Wei Yunxi said:

"I have Nourishing Spirit Pills. Would those work?"

"I want to see their quality."

Clearly, he had standards when it came to pill quality.

Wei Yunxi replied with a smile:

"These Nourishing Spirit Pills were issued to this little sister after she passed the sect assessment, so their quality is certainly not a problem."

Only then did the young man glance at the two little squats before him and nod.

"Then two pills for one item from the stall."

Wei Zonghao frowned, feeling that the other party was being rather unfair. Just as he was about to speak, Wei Yunxi got there first.

"Alright. These little trinkets are quite interesting. I would like to exchange for a few more."

"Fine. Pick them yourself."

Wei Yunxi first grabbed the jewelry box, then picked up a somewhat worn Talisman Brush and examined it. Though its tip had already split somewhat, it was quite suitable for a beginner like her. She hesitated for a moment before deciding on it.

Finally, her gaze fell upon the pile of empty pill bottles on the stall. She tentatively asked the stall owner:

"Senior Brother, can these empty pill bottles count as one item?"

Seeing that they were merely a pile of empty jade bottles, the stall owner generously said:

"Sure. You only need to pay one Nourishing Spirit Pill for all these bottles."

"Alright."

Wei Yunxi immediately swept the pill bottles and the two items in her hands into her Storage Pouch. However, she placed the pill bottles into the Wooden Token Space, then readily paid the other party five Nourishing Spirit Pills.

The two then continued toward the place selling Blank Talisman Paper. The little fatty whispered:

"Sister Yunxi, you got the short end of the stick. Those empty jade bottles were not worth even one pill. You should have had him throw them in as a bonus."

"It is no matter. That Senior Brother is on the verge of breaking through to the late Qi Refining stage, so consider it forming a good connection. Besides, the most valuable item on that entire stall was that Talisman Brush. The other two were the real throw-ins. He saw that clearly, which was why he dared name such a price."

"You are right about that."

The little fatty had seen it too. He simply felt that four pills were enough to secure the Talisman Brush, and there was no need to give away an extra pill.

But Wei Yunxi felt that paying him one pill meant the goods and payment were settled, with neither owing the other anything. Otherwise, she truly would not feel right taking possession of the Sky-Mending Pill hidden inside the empty pill bottles.

At that moment, a call came from behind them:

"Wei Yunxi!"

Wei Yunxi raised an eyebrow at the sound, then calmly turned around to see Wei Yunqing jogging toward them.

Wei Yunqing had just broken through to the Qi Refining third layer when she felt a wave of alarm in her heart. That bad feeling had returned. She immediately left the Cultivation Hall, slipped spirit stones to the Senior Brother on duty, and learned that Wei Yunxi had not come to the cultivation rooms. Then she turned and ran toward the Market.

She remembered that in the illusion, Wei Yunxi had found a pill at the Market. That pill was a precious thing capable of improving one's Spiritual Root aptitude. She had to find a way to get it into her own hands.

When Wei Yunqing reached them, she said somewhat unhappily:

"Yunxi, did we not agree to visit the Market together? Why did you leave me behind by myself?"

Wei Yunxi said with a beaming smile:

"Sister, you were the one who said you wanted to break through to the Qi Refining third layer as soon as possible. How could I disturb your cultivation over such a trivial matter? Zonghao happened to be free, so we came together."

After saying that, she deliberately clasped her hands.

"Sister, congratulations on breaking through to the Qi Refining third layer. But your aura is somewhat unstable. Why did you not consolidate it a little longer?"

Wei Yunqing felt as if her punch had landed in empty air. She could only draw a deep breath and say:

"I was worried it would not be safe for you to wander around the Market alone, so I came after you. Let us browse together, the three of us!"

"Alright."

Wei Yunxi agreed readily. As she turned around, she gave the little fatty a meaningful look, and Wei Zonghao nodded in understanding.

The three continued onward, but Wei Yunqing asked:

"Yunxi, did you find anything good just now?"

"I found a secondhand Talisman Brush. I exchanged five Nourishing Spirit Pills for it. It was quite a bargain."

Wei Yunxi answered with a smile, taking the Talisman Brush from her Storage Pouch and showing it to Wei Yunqing to dispel her suspicions.

Sure enough, Wei Yunqing casually took it.

"Let me see what material it is made from and whether it is worth five pills."

Wei Yunxi did not stop her and let her inspect it carefully, while she headed straight for the stall selling Blank Talisman Paper.

Wei Yunqing immediately examined the entire Talisman Brush inside and out with her divine sense. Finding nothing unusual, she frowned and handed it back to Wei Yunxi.

Meanwhile, Wei Yunxi was haggling with the stall owner, preparing to buy all the first-grade Talisman Paper on his stall.

Darlings, happy Lantern Festival~ Don't forget to eat tangyuan! Wishing all readers good health, success in all things, fulfilled wishes, and happiness for the whole family in the new year!