Spirit Rice for Spirit Stones

Although this place was still within the territory of the Heavenly Xuan Sect, the security of the entire market was handled by Heavenly Xuan Sect disciples.

However, it gathered all manner of Rogue Cultivators from within a thousand li, as well as ruthless and lawless people who ran wild in the martial world.

If he carelessly revealed his wealth here, it would be like lighting a lamp in a toilet—courting death!

If all else fails, I'll exchange for Spirit Stones at a shop run by the Heavenly Xuan Sect. The price may be lower, but at least it'll be safe. If anyone asks, I'll say I happened to find them in the fields. I've already left the spirit fields anyway, so there's no way to verify it! Shen Fan secretly pondered.

Just then—!

"Brother! Looking to buy something?"

A voice suddenly sounded beside his ear, startling Shen Fan into a shudder.

Following the sound, he saw a young man about one and a half meters tall, with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks. His mung-bean eyes spun nonstop, greed gleaming in them as he stared fixedly at Shen Fan.

"Looking at you, brother, this is your first time at the market, isn't it? And you're a disciple of our Heavenly Xuan Sect?"

As he spoke, the young man deliberately displayed his sect badge.

"I'm also a disciple of the Heavenly Xuan Sect. Just speak up if you need any help!"

That introduction immediately eased some of Shen Fan's wariness.

"I'm new here. I want to buy some medicinal herbs."

As he spoke, Shen Fan handed over the list he had prepared beforehand.

"So many?"

Seeing the densely packed names of medicinal herbs on the list, the young man asked in surprise.

"You're a Miscellaneous Disciple from Elixir Forging Peak?"

"That's right. A senior brother needs these herbs, and I'm running an errand for him. Once it's done, he promised to give me a Qi Induction Pill."

After thinking briefly, Shen Fan answered. Borrowing another's influence like this might make the other party more wary.

"So you're the one paying, then?"

The other party sneered, pointing at Shen Fan.

"What a foolish kid. These are all ordinary medicinal herbs. They're nowhere near worth a Qi Induction Pill. You've been fooled. Just wait and see whether he gives you that Qi Induction Pill when you return!"

Shen Fan raised a brow, not expecting him to say that.

Still, he pretended to be angry. "He can't do that. Senior Brother promised me!"

"Kid! I'm from the Heavenly Xuan Sect too. I've seen this kind of thing plenty of times. Those senior brothers just love cutting leeks, always ordering Miscellaneous Disciples like you around!"

After saying that, the young man took the list and led Shen Fan forward.

"I can't be bothered explaining it to you. For this many herbs, the lowest price will be three Low-Grade Spirit Stones. I charge a ten-percent errand fee—three hundred grains of low-grade White Jade Spirit Rice. Just wait here. I'll find them for you, so you don't have to trouble yourself!"

Shen Fan's eyes widened at once. "That expensive?"

"Are you talking about the herbs or the errand fee?"

"Both are expensive!"

The young man was in no hurry. He said leisurely, "To be honest, I'm only earning money for my hard work. If you don't believe me, ask around yourself. For this many herbs, if you don't know the place, it'll take you several hours at the least. And when people see it's your first time here, they'll definitely fleece you hard. By the end of it, you won't get these herbs without spending five Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"

Seeing how confidently he spoke, Shen Fan believed him somewhat.

That was simply how the world worked. With money, even ghosts could be made to turn millstones; with money, ninety-nine percent of the world's problems could be solved.

"Fine, fine!"

Shen Fan could not be bothered haggling further. He waved a hand and agreed.

He thought that if this man proved trustworthy, he would seek him out next time. If not, then he simply would not look for him again.

"Pay up!"

The young man held out his hand.

Shen Fan immediately laughed. "You haven't even given me the goods. What am I paying you for?"

"Ask around this area yourself. Who doesn't know that I, Baishitong, am a man who keeps his word?"

The fellow calling himself Baishitong patted his chest as he spoke.

"Besides, how am I supposed to buy the herbs for you without money?"

"What if you run off with my money?"

"Impossible!"

Baishitong said with complete confidence.

"Since you're not sincere, I'd better look around on my own!"

Shen Fan did not want to keep tangling with him. Without another word, he turned and left.

"Fine, fine, fine! Wait here for me. In the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, I'll bring you everything. If you can't produce the money then, I'll take you to find your steward!"

As Baishitong spoke, he directly called someone over.

"Keep a close eye on him for me. Don't let him run away. I'll bring the goods here in the time it takes to burn one stick of incense!"

With that, he hurriedly left.

Looking at the person Baishitong had called over, Shen Fan said, "We're just standing here?"

"What else would we do?"

"If you're afraid I'll run away, then come walk around with me. It's my first time here, so introduce the place to me!"

As he spoke, Shen Fan started walking forward.

Seeing that the man was still standing there like a wooden stake, Shen Fan said speechlessly,

"I won't make you accompany me for nothing. How about I give you ten grains of spirit rice afterward?"

The man's eyes immediately lit up!

"By the way, brother, I don't have any Spirit Stones on me..."

Before Shen Fan could finish, the man snapped angrily, "What are you talking for if you don't have money?"

"But I have spirit rice!"

"Let's go! Keep moving!"

The man immediately stepped forward and threw an arm around Shen Fan's shoulders.

"Wherever you want to go, I'll lead the way. You foot the bill!"

"How do spirit rice and Spirit Stones exchange?"

"Generally speaking, one Low-Grade Spirit Stone can be exchanged for ten thousand grains of low-grade White Jade Spirit Rice, which is roughly one jin!"

The young man explained.

"But prices here may fluctuate somewhat..."

"Huh?"

Shen Fan froze on the spot.

He only had a dozen or so grains of Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice on him.

Those medicinal herbs had just been worth three Low-Grade Spirit Stones. With Baishitong's errand fee added in, he did not know whether his spirit rice would be enough.

But then the man continued, "Some merchants are black-hearted. One jin and two liang might only get you one Low-Grade Spirit Stone!"

Shen Fan continued asking, "What about mid-grade, high-grade, and supreme-grade spirit rice?"

"That stuff is valuable. A thousand grains of mid-grade spirit rice, around one liang, can be exchanged for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. A hundred grains of high-grade spirit rice can be exchanged for one. Supreme-grade spirit rice is even more valuable—one grain can be exchanged for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. But basically no fool would be willing to trade supreme-grade spirit rice for Low-Grade Spirit Stones. That stuff hardly circulates in a market like this!"

"It's worth that much?"

Shen Fan was instantly surprised.

Did that not mean he was carrying wealth equivalent to more than a dozen Low-Grade Spirit Stones?

After learning the going rates, Shen Fan did not exchange for Spirit Stones in front of this man.

Instead, after arriving at a shop, he instructed the young man, "Wait for me here. I'm going inside to take a look!"

The man did not suspect anything and simply waited at the entrance for Shen Fan.

After entering, Shen Fan immediately went to the counter and said, "Shopkeeper, can I exchange spirit rice for Spirit Stones here?"

The shopkeeper narrowed his eyes and said with interest, "Of course. The price is a little higher than outside, but safety is guaranteed. You know how troublesome it is if someone sets their sights on you in the market. Within the market, we of the Heavenly Xuan Sect can protect you—but what about after you leave?"

"What are your rates?"

"Ten thousand grains of low-grade spirit rice for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone, one thousand grains of mid-grade spirit rice for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone..."

The price was ten percent higher than outside.

Shen Fan asked anxiously, "What about supreme-grade?"

"No fool would trade Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice for Spirit Stones. If someone can afford to eat Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice, would they care about one mere Low-Grade Spirit Stone?"

Shen Fan's mouth twitched. "I'm that fool. Just tell me, how do I exchange Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice?"

As he spoke, he directly took out one grain of Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice and placed it on the counter.