At this price, whether that fatty had deceived me or not, I was already more than satisfied.
"In our Heavenly Xuan Sect, the exchange rate is ten Contribution Points for one Low-Grade Spirit Stone. Do you want Contribution Points, Spirit Stones, or some other item?"
"Spirit Stones! Spirit Stones!"
Shen Fan could not contain his excitement and blurted it out.
"Very well. Five hundred Contribution Points convert to fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Take them!"
The fatty moved briskly, quickly counting out fifty Spirit Stones, placing them in a small cloth pouch, and handing it to Shen Fan.
Shen Fan accepted the pouch, immediately took out five Spirit Stones, and offered them with both hands. "Senior Brother, Senior Brother, please accept this small token of respect!"
The fatty raised his brows, satisfaction flashing through his eyes. "You kid sure know how to handle things. You've got a future!"
With that, he unobtrusively tucked the Spirit Stones into his own Universe Pouch.
Then the fatty patted Shen Fan on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Rest assured, kid. If you get any good stuff in the future, bring it to me. I'll definitely give you a fair price!"
"Many thanks, Senior Brother!"
Shen Fan clasped his hands in thanks. Seeing that the time was right, he immediately changed the subject. "By the way, Senior Brother, do you know why the sect was under lockdown two days ago? Did something happen?"
The fatty leaned close and whispered, "The sect rooted out a traitor from the Nether Corpse Sect. The outer sect disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall are hunting him with all their might!"
"Ah?"
Shen Fan put on a look of surprise.
"Then... did they catch him?"
"Of course they did!"
The fatty proudly lifted his chin. "The efficiency of our Law Enforcement Hall is plain for all to see!"
"They... caught him?"
Shen Fan's heart tightened, as though a rabbit were crashing wildly about inside his chest.
"Yes. Otherwise, how could you have come down the mountain so easily?"
Shen Fan forced himself to remain calm and nodded. "That's good, that's good!"
With that, he turned to leave.
It seemed Heavenly Xuan Sect could no longer shelter him!
He had to seize this chance and leave quickly. If he went back, it would be no different from walking straight into a net.
"By the way, Senior Brother, do you have any medicinal herbs or pills that restore blood and qi, or strengthen blood and qi?"
Buying them outside might expose his wealth and invite greedy eyes. It would be better to purchase everything he needed here, then leave Heavenly Xuan Sect at once.
Shen Fan had barely hesitated before paving an escape route for himself.
"Of course I do!"
Hearing this, the fatty immediately brought out a jade bottle and several wooden boxes. After opening them one by one, he introduced them. "This is a mid-grade first-rank Blood Ignition Pill. It can stimulate eighty percent of the blood and qi throughout your body, unleashing unprecedented strength!"
"This is three-hundred-year Crimson Essence Ginseng. This is five-hundred-year Blood Vein He Shou Wu..."
"How much are these?" Shen Fan asked.
"This Blood Ignition Pill costs fifteen Low-Grade Spirit Stones. This Crimson Essence Ginseng costs ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones. And this Blood Vein He Shou Wu also costs fifteen Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"
"So expensive!" Shen Fan's eyes immediately widened.
Wouldn't these three items use up every last Spirit Stone he had just obtained?
Could it be that this fatty had planned it all along?
Still, Shen Fan did not feel particularly pained.
The money had come easily, so there was no need to care too much.
"Ah, my talent is lacking, so I can only make up for it through body cultivation. Since I've decided to walk the path of a body cultivator, I have to spend this money!"
Shen Fan sighed. "Senior Brother, wrap them all up for me!"
"You got it!"
The fatty's face blossomed with delight as he wrapped up every item.
"Oh, right, Senior Brother. I have five Low-Grade Spirit Stones left. Can you sell me one low-grade Qi Induction Pill?"
"Of course. This low-grade Qi Induction Pill costs the same!"
The fatty generously handed Shen Fan one.
With this Qi Induction Pill, Shen Fan would be able to replicate a bowlful of Qi Induction Pills.
Afterward, Shen Fan packed everything away and left the shop.
As he walked, he slipped a hand into the cloth pouch. With a thought, he took out the Treasure Gathering Universe Bowl and secretly placed all the items inside it.
That way, Shen Fan carried an empty bag on his back as he wandered around the market.
He passed through the stall district and the shantytown, changed into three different sets of clothes, and only then left the market.
Yet he did not head back up the mountain. Instead, he bought a map and planned to first take a look around the mortal Great Li Kingdom.
Just then, not long after Shen Fan had left the market,
a sturdy young man selling loose baskets came toward him with a shoulder pole, the scent of wine drifting through the air.
"Young man, would you like to try some freshly brewed Osmanthus Drunk?"
The moment Shen Fan saw him, he became alert. He waved a hand and quickened his pace, preparing to leave.
Someone was blocking his path right after he left the market. Had he been targeted again?
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. It's really good!"
The wine seller hurriedly chased after him.
Whoosh!
Shen Fan abruptly drew a newly purchased mortal longsword and aimed it at the wine seller.
"I said I don't want it. Say another word and I'll chop you down!"
"Are you sure you don't want it?"
The young man narrowed his eyes, a teasing smile curling at his lips.
"This wine has another name—Zhao Erhu!"
Boom—!
Shen Fan felt as though he had been struck by lightning. His eyes flew wide as he asked warily, "Who are you?"
"You foolish brat, you forgot your grandpa after only three days?"
The wine seller set down his shoulder pole and lightly peeled at the side of his face. A human-skin mask came away, revealing an aged face wrinkled like tree bark.
"Old Man Duan!"
Shen Fan's eyes widened. "Weren't you captured?"
"Humph, humph! You think they could catch me?"
Old Man Duan laughed smugly. "Those people merely killed an innocent man to claim credit. After I came down the mountain that day, I contacted the people from the Nether Corpse Sect. They helped me shake off the pursuit. To give the sect an explanation, the Law Enforcement Hall simply caught some evil cultivator and used him as a substitute!"
Hearing this, Shen Fan let out a long breath.
In that case, he no longer needed to flee.
"Then why haven't you left yet? Why are you still here?"
Shen Fan immediately grew nervous.
"Do you know what it means to hide in the light beneath the lamp?"
Old Man Duan said confidently, "Besides, I've joined the Nether Corpse Sect now. They assigned me to monitor this area. From now on, I'll sell loose baskets in the market. If you need anything, come find me!"
"Oh, right!"
Old Man Duan asked curiously, "They must have investigated the relationship between you and me. Didn't they come looking for you?"
"I gave you all the things, and they came for me that very night. But I'm just a third-layer Qi Refining Stage Miscellaneous Disciple, so they didn't suspect anything. They asked a few questions and left!"
Shen Fan answered casually.
"You need to be careful. I heard from the Nether Corpse Sect that those fellows in Heavenly Xuan Sect's Law Enforcement Hall know the Soul Searching Technique. If you get caught, you'll be in danger!"
Old Man Duan warned him.
"Mm! I know. Don't worry. Since they're killing an innocent man to claim credit now, this matter should be over. Things should be peaceful from now on!"
Old Man Duan nodded. "I hope so!"
Still uneasy, Shen Fan said, "I advise you to leave this place quickly. You've been at the Spirit Field for so many years, and many people know you. If someone recognizes you, they'll capture you and use the Soul Searching Technique on you. I'll be dragged down with you too!"
"Rest assured! Even if I die, I won't let them capture me!"
Old Man Duan gave Shen Fan a reassuring look.
"Then fine. If there's nothing else, I'll be going first!"
"Alright! Come find me if you need anything!"
As he watched Old Man Duan's departing figure, a trace of killing intent flashed in the depths of Shen Fan's eyes—one he had not even noticed himself.
Yet his expression showed nothing but deep concern.
Old Man Duan was undoubtedly a ticking time bomb.
If he were captured, Shen Fan would be doomed beyond redemption.
Before you continue