Purchasing Talismans

After recovering some spiritual energy, Xu Chunniang didn't venture further in, instead exploring the immediate vicinity.

Perhaps because Blackwater Crocodiles inhabited this area, no other demonic beasts were present. She did find a few more low-grade medicinal herbs, but their value was far from comparable to the Three Yuan Grass.

Seeing that the sun was setting, Xu Chunniang didn't linger in White Lion Ridge and headed out.

Upon returning to Green Mountain Town, Xu Chunniang went straight to the Treasure Pavilion.

The person who greeted her was the same Senior Sister Yao from yesterday. Upon seeing Xu Chunniang, a smile flashed in her eyes. "Junior Sister Xu went into the mountains again. What did you gain today?"

Xu Chunniang first took out a jade box and handed it over.

Senior Sister Yao opened the jade box, a hint of surprise appearing on her face.

"It's actually Three Yuan Grass. This isn't some common commodity that can be found everywhere. Moreover, this Three Yuan Grass was dug up with its roots intact, so its medicinal efficacy is very well preserved."

As she spoke, she pondered inwardly.

Three Yuan Grass is usually guarded by demonic beasts. She wondered what method Junior Sister Xu used to obtain it, and to harvest it so completely.

Xu Chunniang nodded slightly. "How many Spirit Stones is this Three Yuan Grass worth?"

"If you were a rogue cultivator, I'd only offer eighteen Spirit Stones at most. But Junior Sister Xu, you're one of us, so I'll give you this price."

Senior Sister Yao smiled and held up two fingers.

Xu Chunniang was a bit surprised. Even though she had some idea of the value of Three Yuan Grass, she hadn't expected it to be worth twenty Spirit Stones.

This single Three Yuan Grass was almost equivalent to all her gains from yesterday.

"Besides the Three Yuan Grass, I have other items to sell."

After speaking, Xu Chunniang produced the corpse of the Blackwater Crocodile and the seven bottles of blood she had collected.

Senior Sister Yao's eyes widened in surprise. She had just been wondering how Junior Sister Xu had managed to obtain the Three Yuan Grass, and now the answer was right here.

She had actually killed the demonic beast guarding the Three Yuan Grass.

"A Blackwater Crocodile at the third level of Qi Condensation, not far from the fourth level at that."

Senior Sister Yao's gaze towards Xu Chunniang became fiery. This Junior Sister Xu brought her quite a few pleasant surprises.

Even she herself would have to put in considerable effort to kill this Blackwater Crocodile.

She examined the Blackwater Crocodile and quickly gave a professional assessment.

"Apart from the head, the rest of the Blackwater Crocodile's body is not significantly damaged. How about this: this Blackwater Crocodile, along with these blood samples, for a total of thirty-five Spirit Stones?"

Xu Chunniang nodded. Judging by the purchase price of the Three Yuan Grass, Senior Sister Yao was offering a very fair price.

Since she said the Blackwater Crocodile was worth thirty-five Spirit Stones, it must be accurate.

Seeing Xu Chunniang readily agree, the smile on Senior Sister Yao's face became more genuine.

"Junior Sister Xu is indeed straightforward. If you find any good items in the future, just come to me. I guarantee you the fairest price."

Xu Chunniang smiled slightly and collected the Spirit Stones. "Senior Sister, I'd like to buy some Talismans. Could you take me to see them?"

Senior Sister Yao's eyes lit up. "Of course. The Talismans in the Treasure Pavilion are all acquired from our disciples within the sect, so their quality is absolutely guaranteed."

In the Cultivation World, Talismans, like Spiritual Artifacts, elixirs, spiritual herbs, and Formations, were divided into various grades based on their power or the amount of spiritual energy they contained.

The Qi Condensation stage corresponded to Grade One, and the Foundation Establishment stage corresponded to Grade Two.

Each grade also had sub-classifications: Low-grade, Mid-grade, High-grade, and Perfect-grade, corresponding to the early, middle, late, and peak stages of cultivation respectively.

For example, Grade One Low-grade corresponded to the early stage of Qi Condensation, while Grade Two Perfect-grade corresponded to the peak stage of Foundation Establishment.

With her current financial means, Xu Chunniang could only afford Grade One Talismans.

A Grade One Low-grade Talisman cost one Spirit Stone each, a Mid-grade Talisman cost three Spirit Stones each, and a High-grade Talisman was worth eighteen Spirit Stones each.

As for Perfect-grade Talismans, they were extremely rare, often having a price but no market.

If she were to buy only High-grade Talismans, all the Spirit Stones Xu Chunniang had would only be enough to buy a few.

She ultimately set her sights on Low-grade and Mid-grade Talismans.

Xu Chunniang planned to acquire some Talismans of each attribute to deal with various situations.

She purchased two of each of the nine types of Low-grade Talismans: Fireball Talisman, Water Arrow Talisman, Wind Blade Talisman, Golden Light Talisman, Earth Shield Talisman, Wood Shield Talisman, Lightning Talisman, Ice Burst Talisman, and the neutral Swiftness Talisman.

The expenditure for these alone totaled eighteen Spirit Stones.

After purchasing the Low-grade Talismans, Xu Chunniang, still wanting more, bought one of each of the corresponding Mid-grade Talismans for these nine types.

Nine Mid-grade Talismans cost another twenty-seven Spirit Stones.

This wasn't the end. After acquiring the basic and mid-grade Talismans, Xu Chunniang finally turned her attention to High-grade Talismans.

High-grade Talismans had a power equivalent to late-stage Qi Condensation sorcery.

Although their power was reduced to sixty to seventy percent after being made into Talismans, they were not to be underestimated. They would be more than enough to deal with demonic beasts at the sixth level of Qi Condensation.

Xu Chunniang decided to buy one for self-defense. Since she had already spent so many Spirit Stones, why hesitate at the last eighteen?

However, each High-grade Talisman was very powerful, and for a moment, she didn't know which one to choose.

In the end, Xu Chunniang chose the neutral Swiftness Talisman. If she truly encountered an extremely powerful opponent, it would be best to escape quickly.

Since she bought quite a few talismans, Senior Sister Yao generously gifted her two low-grade Fireball Talismans, which Xu Chunniang accepted.

After leaving the Treasure Pavilion, Xu Chunniang's Spirit Stones had decreased rather than increased, leaving her with only a meager five.

She shook her head helplessly. She had originally planned to save up more Spirit Stones to buy a Spiritual Artifact soon, but now she had spent so many.

It seemed the more Spirit Stones she earned, the more she spent.

However, with this large bundle of talismans, her safety was greatly ensured.

Especially after investing heavily in high-grade Swiftness Talismans, she had a chance to escape even if she encountered a demonic beast at the seventh level of Qi Condensation.

After returning to the sect, perhaps she should study the way of talismans?

Xu Chunniang considered it seriously. Anyway, she had almost finished learning the Complete Guide to Level One Spiritual Plants.

With the support of the Spring Growth Technique, Spiritual Rain Technique, and Earth Moistening Technique, she believed she could definitely become an excellent Spiritual Plant Cultivator.

Talismans could not only be cast instantly but also save spiritual energy. More importantly, the barrier to entry wasn't too high. Once she achieved some success, she could even sell talismans for Spirit Stones.

Moreover, even if she didn't sell them, keeping them for personal use would always be beneficial.

Imagine in a battle, grabbing a handful of talismans and throwing them out – who could withstand that?

Xu Chunniang was tempted. She secretly resolved that if she had any remaining money after purchasing a Spiritual Artifact from her earnings in the Hundred Demonic Mountain Range, she would use it to buy talisman brushes and ink.

However, for the next several days, Xu Chunniang didn't have much luck.

She went to White Lion Ridge for three consecutive days but didn't encounter many demonic beasts.

On the fourth day, she finally ran into some, but it was a large group of bird-type demonic beasts at the third level of Qi Condensation. To escape, Xu Chunniang had to use a low-grade Swiftness Talisman.

After returning to Carefree Residence, Xu Chunniang felt a bit helpless. She hadn't had any gains at White Lion Ridge for four consecutive days. Should she go again tomorrow?

Too many people went to White Lion Ridge, and often, they couldn't even find a trace of demonic beasts.

It seemed her encountering a Blackwater Crocodile there on the first day was truly lucky.