Market Exchange Treasures

Early the next morning, Shen Hao took the dim beast cores and headed to the sect's market.

The Ziyang Sect's market, located between the Outer Sect and Inner Sect, was where disciples traded. The market bustled with activity, crowded with disciples hawking their wares—stalls piled high with spirit stones, spiritual medicines, beast cores, techniques, and sword manuals.

Shen Hao walked into the market, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding stalls. He found a secluded corner and laid the dim beast cores on the ground.

Soon, a disciple approached his stall. This disciple wore the gray robe of an Outer Sect Disciple, his eyes fixed on the beast cores.

"How much for these cores?" the disciple asked.

Shen Hao smiled. "Azure Winged Wolf core, five Low-grade Spirit Stones each; Black Bear Spirit core, eight Low-grade Spirit Stones each; Crimson Flame Tiger core, twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones each."

The disciple nodded. "I'll take one Azure Winged Wolf core and one Black Bear Spirit core."

Shen Hao nodded and handed the two cores to the disciple. The disciple gave him thirteen Low-grade Spirit Stones and turned to leave.

Soon, Shen Hao's stall was surrounded by disciples. Most were Outer Sect Disciples, all in need of beast cores for cultivation.

Within an hour, Shen Hao's beast cores were completely sold out. He had earned over a hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Delight surged in Shen Hao's heart as he tucked the spirit stones into his robe. He strolled through the market, hoping to buy some cultivation resources.

He stopped at a stall selling spiritual medicines, his eyes landing on a plant with an entirely cyan body. Its leaves were long and narrow, its roots white—a Qi Condensing Grass. Qi Condensing Grass was a common spiritual medicine for Qi Refining Stage cultivators; consuming it could rapidly restore spiritual energy.

"How much for this Qi Condensing Grass?" Shen Hao asked.

The stall owner, an Inner Sect Disciple in a Green Daoist Robe, glanced at him. "Ten Low-grade Spirit Stones per plant."

Shen Hao nodded and bought five plants of Qi Condensing Grass. He also purchased some healing spiritual medicines, then prepared to leave the market.

Just then, his gaze fell on a stall selling techniques. On the stall lay a thin booklet, its cover reading Spirit Devouring Art.

Shen Hao's heart stirred. He picked up Spirit Devouring Art and leafed through it carefully. Spirit Devouring Art was a Low-grade Technique; after cultivation, it allowed one to devour another's spiritual energy and convert it into one's own. This technique was remarkably similar to the Companion Jade Pendant's devouring ability.

"How much for this Spirit Devouring Art?" Shen Hao asked.

The stall owner, an old man, glanced at him. "I obtained this Spirit Devouring Art by chance in my early years. Though it's a Low-grade Technique, it's extremely domineering. Fixed price, fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones."

Shen Hao pondered for a moment, then nodded. He handed the old man fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones and tucked Spirit Devouring Art into his robe.

He knew that although Spirit Devouring Art was a Low-grade Technique, it would be extremely useful to him. He could combine it with the Companion Jade Pendant's devouring ability to boost his cultivation speed.

Shen Hao left the market and returned to his dwelling. He closed the door, sat cross-legged on the bed, and took out Spirit Devouring Art, studying it carefully.

The content of Spirit Devouring Art was very simple. After cultivation, one could form a Spirit Devouring Vortex within the body. This vortex could devour others' spiritual energy and convert it into one's own.

Following the instructions in Spirit Devouring Art, Shen Hao began to cultivate. He channeled the spiritual energy in his Sea of Qi, forming a small Spirit Devouring Vortex within his body.

As soon as the Spirit Devouring Vortex formed, it began devouring the surrounding free-floating spiritual energy. Shen Hao felt a dense surge of spiritual energy flow into his body through the vortex.

"Excellent!" Shen Hao's eyes brimmed with joy.

He took out the Companion Jade Pendant and infused it with a thread of spiritual energy. The pendant instantly lit up with a cyan glow, resonating with the Spirit Devouring Vortex within him.

The devouring speed of the Spirit Devouring Vortex multiplied several times over.

Shen Hao immersed himself in the pleasure of cultivation, the spiritual energy in his Sea of Qi growing denser and denser.