Under normal circumstances.
The disciples of aristocratic families and sects were stronger than rogue cultivators in cultivation methods, spells, and artifacts alike.
For that very reason.
If their cultivation levels were the same, rogue cultivators were often weaker than cultivators from aristocratic families and sects.
However.
Rogue cultivators were often more ruthless by nature.
If it came to a fight to the death, no one could predict who would live and who would die.
Li Chang'an previously only knew a few of the most ordinary low-grade wood spells, so his combat ability was average.
"There's no use learning too many low-grade spells. What I need now are better spells."
As he pondered, he searched through the Black Market.
After quite some time.
He finally found a suitable mid-grade wood spell—Green Vine Entanglement!
This spell did not consume much spiritual energy and had moderate power. It was mainly used to restrain enemies.
"How many Spirit Stones for this Green Vine Entanglement?"
"Four hundred Spirit Stones. No bargaining!"
The stall owner replied lazily.
Li Chang'an frowned and said, "This isn't an artifact. It has no production cost and can be copied at will. How can it be so expensive?"
"Precisely because it can be copied at will, I sell it at such a high price."
The stall owner smiled and glanced at Li Chang'an.
He explained aloud.
"Fellow Daoist, once you master this mid-grade spell, you'll have an advantage over cultivators who only know low-grade spells."
"If I sell it too cheaply and everyone learns it, what advantage would you have left? I'm thinking of you!"
Li Chang'an was taken aback.
The reasoning sounded rather crooked.
But upon careful thought, that really was how it worked.
The price of mid-grade spells was itself a threshold for the vast majority of rogue cultivators.
"Fine."
Li Chang'an tossed out four hundred Spirit Stones and bought the spellbook.
After that.
He searched for another half day and found two suitable mid-grade wood spells.
They were Azure Profound Sword Qi and Wood Armor Spirit Shield.
One for attack and one for defense—they suited him perfectly.
Of course.
Neither came cheap.
"Strange. I've searched for so long, yet I haven't found a Body Refining Cultivation Method, and there are barely any Evasion Techniques either."
Li Chang'an frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the stalls.
Body Refining Cultivation Methods truly were too scarce.
As for Evasion Techniques.
Li Chang'an only found three low-grade evasion arts: Blood Burning Escape Technique, Earth Escape Technique, and Water Escape Technique.
The first consumed lifespan, while the latter two did not match his Spirit Root.
"Are there no other Evasion Techniques?"
Li Chang'an asked a stall owner who specialized in selling spells.
The stall owner shook his head.
"Fellow Daoist, these are all we have in a small place like this. If you want better Evasion Techniques, you can go take a look in Yellow Crane Immortal City."
"Yellow Crane Immortal City?"
Li Chang'an's heart stirred.
Yellow Crane Immortal City had been founded by a Golden Core rogue cultivator, True Person Yellow Crane, and was regarded as a holy land in the hearts of countless rogue cultivators.
There would certainly be more treasures in a place like that, and greater chances to pick up overlooked bargains.
However.
It was rather far from Clear River Market, and all manner of accidents could occur on the road.
Moreover, there were far too many powerful cultivators in the Immortal City.
Li Chang'an had no plans to go for the time being.
"Oh, right. It's said that the Third Boss of Black Wind Mountain possesses peerless evasion arts and can escape from the hands of Foundation Establishment powerhouses."
The stall owner suddenly spoke, mentioning something he had heard.
"If you have connections and sufficient resources, Fellow Daoist, you can seek him out and exchange for an Evasion Technique."
"Alright, thank you for telling me, Fellow Daoist."
Li Chang'an clasped his hands.
Afterward.
He bought more materials needed for refining Puppets and Talisman Drawing.
Perhaps because their origins were unclear, some items in the Black Market were cheaper than those in the Marketplace.
Even so, Li Chang'an's fortune shrank by a fair amount.
"I still have over two thousand Spirit Stones. That's enough for cultivation."
He calculated silently.
Fortunately, he had saved the Spirit Stones meant for buying an Array and armor. Otherwise, his wealth would have shrunk even further.
"Time to head back."
Li Chang'an set off on the return journey with all of today's gains.
The road back was quite peaceful.
He did not encounter any other Rogue Cultivators.
Just after returning to the Marketplace.
Li Chang'an ran into Chu Daniu.
From him, he learned a new piece of news.
"The Zheng Family is recruiting Guest Elders?"
The Zheng Family's requirements for Guest Elders were high. At the very least, one needed to possess a First-tier Mid-grade Craft.
Once one became a Guest Elder.
One could receive the Zheng Family's stipend and enjoy all sorts of preferential treatment from the Zheng Family.
If one performed outstandingly, one could even enter the Zheng Family's Library Pavilion and select various cultivation methods and spells difficult to obtain elsewhere.
"Ah, if only I could become a Zheng Family Guest Elder."
Chu Daniu sighed.
He only possessed the Legacy of Low-grade Spirit Wine.
And on the surface, Li Chang'an only possessed a Low-grade Talisman Legacy.
Neither of them had any hope.
"Brother Li, did you know? Senior Luo has successfully drawn a First-tier Mid-grade Talisman and has been hired by the Zheng Family as a Guest Elder."
"Senior Luo Kun?"
Li Chang'an remembered that man.
That fellow was particularly fond of hearing flattery and praise from juniors.
"Yes, Senior Luo Kun."
Chu Daniu's face was full of envy as he spoke of the news he had just learned.
This news.
Had caused a sensation within their small circle of craftsmen.
Almost everyone envied Luo Kun.
As he spoke.
Chu Daniu sighed again.
"Brother Li, Senior Luo promised back then that he would give you some personal guidance. You should have gone at the time!"
Whenever he mentioned this, Chu Daniu felt regret.
After all.
Luo Kun still had not taken on any disciples.
If Li Chang'an had performed a little better back then, he might have moved Luo Kun to consider taking him as a disciple.
Luo Kun's status and position now far surpassed what they had been before.
It would be difficult to have him offer guidance now!
"The past is gone. There's no need to bring it up again."
Li Chang'an's expression did not change, and he appeared perfectly calm.
Yet Chu Daniu refused to give up.
He had always believed that Luo Kun was the place where Li Chang'an was most likely to obtain a mid-grade Talisman Inheritance.
"Brother Li, there's actually still a chance!"
Chu Daniu suddenly lowered his voice.
He said to Li Chang'an, "When I brought wine to Senior Luo before, I heard that the Zheng Family assigned him a residence near the Core Region of the Marketplace. The spiritual energy concentration there has reached high-grade first tier!"
"That's perfectly normal."
Li Chang'an nodded. After all, a Guest Elder counted as half one of their own.
The Zheng Family certainly would not treat him poorly.
Chu Daniu continued, "Brother Li, Senior Luo said that house is too large, so he plans to hire several servants!"
"This is the opportunity you meant?"
Li Chang'an could not help laughing.
Chu Daniu nodded forcefully.
"Brother Li, there's nothing wrong with being a servant. You could regularly come into contact with Senior Luo, and you could cultivate in that house!"
As he spoke, Chu Daniu could not help revealing a yearning expression.
He had the Spirit Wine Craft, but it could only barely meet his daily cultivation needs.
He simply had no means to exchange for a better residence for himself.
"Brother Li, think about it. The spiritual energy concentration in that house has reached First-tier High-grade. It's far better than where we're living now! As long as you can..."
"Da Niu, I actually no longer live in that old place."
Li Chang'an spoke at the right moment, interrupting Chu Daniu.
Chu Daniu froze.
"Big Brother, did something happen? Did someone force you to leave?"
"No. I merely changed Residences and haven't had the chance to tell you all yet."
Li Chang'an smiled amiably.
He beckoned.
"Come on, I'll show you around."
Before you continue