At dawn, while thin mist still lingered through the forests of Qingyun Peak, Shen Hao tucked several inner cores obtained from hunting Demon Beasts in recent days into his robes and headed toward the Inner Sect Market. The Inner Sect Market was utterly different from the outer sect market. It lay in a level valley between the Inner Sect's three main peaks, several times larger than its outer sect counterpart. At its entrance stood two enormous boulders carved with the words "Linlang Pavilion." Spiritual Energy coiled around the stones, and faint streams of light flickered across them.
The moment he entered the market, a clamor of voices washed over him. All manner of stalls stood row upon row along both sides of the street, their displays overflowing with dazzling goods: heaps of Low-grade Spirit Stones, pills of every color stored in jade bottles, cultivation-method Jade Slips covered in profound runes, Artifact Refining Materials gleaming with cold light, talismans painted with strange patterns, and even the occasional glazed bottle containing Demon Beast Essence Blood. Disciples streamed back and forth without end, most clad in Blue Daoist Robes, their faces bearing either urgency or calm. The sounds of haggling rose and fell one after another, presenting a scene of flourishing prosperity.
Shen Hao's purpose was clear: exchange the most valuable Ironback Bear Inner Core in his possession for Mid-grade Spirit Stones to support his further cultivation. He walked slowly along the Green Stone-paved street, his gaze passing over stall after stall before finally stopping at one that specialized in purchasing Demon Beast inner cores. The stall owner was a slightly plump middle-aged cultivator with a shrewd smile on his face, busy weighing Spirit Stones for a disciple.
Just as Shen Hao was about to step forward, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind him, brimming with delighted excitement. "Senior Brother Shen!"
He turned toward the sound and saw Zhang Shan running toward him eagerly. His Blue Daoist Robe was stained with a little dust, and he had clearly just returned from training at the Back Mountain as well. Though only a short time had passed since they last met, Zhang Shan's aura was much steadier than before, and his brows carried a spirited vigor. His cultivation had obviously improved. "Junior Brother Zhang, you came to the market too?" Shen Hao asked with a smile, his gaze falling upon Zhang Shan's tightly clenched right hand.
Zhang Shan nodded hurriedly and raised the bulging little bag in his hand, his face full of excitement. "I just hunted a Qi Refining Second Layer Swift Wind Wolf at the Back Mountain. I took its inner core to exchange for some Spirit Stones, and I also planned to buy some Body Tempering Pills to consolidate my newly broken-through Early Qi Refining Third Layer cultivation." As he spoke, his gaze inadvertently swept over the pitch-black inner core in Shen Hao's hand, which radiated dense Earth Spiritual Energy. His pupils suddenly shrank, and intense shock flashed through his eyes. "Senior Brother Shen, this... this is an Ironback Bear inner core, isn't it? You actually killed an Ironback Bear!"
The Ironback Bear's reputation was thunderous among the Demon Beasts of the Inner Sect's Back Mountain. Not only had it reached the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer, but it was also famed for fur as hard as iron and savage, tyrannical strength. Even an ordinary cultivator at the Mid Qi Refining Fourth Layer would have to expend tremendous effort to hunt an Ironback Bear alone, and might even suffer grievous injuries. Zhang Shan truly found it difficult to imagine that Shen Hao had taken down such a troublesome Demon Beast by himself.
Shen Hao smiled without offering much explanation, merely handing the inner core to the middle-aged stall owner. The owner accepted it, examined it carefully, then brought it to his nose for a sniff. A glint flashed through his eyes, and he made a gesture toward Shen Hao. "Junior Brother, your Ironback Bear inner core is of exceptional quality and rich in spiritual energy. It can be considered top-grade. How about I trade you three Mid-grade Spirit Stones for it?"
The price was fair enough. Shen Hao did not hesitate and nodded. "Fine." The stall owner deftly took three lustrous Mid-grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch and handed them over. They felt slightly cool in Shen Hao's hand, and their spiritual energy was far purer than that of Low-grade Spirit Stones. Shen Hao put them away and turned to Zhang Shan, who was still staring in amazement.
"Senior Brother Shen, your strength is truly growing greater and greater," Zhang Shan said enviously, his tone full of admiration. "The Inner Sect Grand Competition is only two months away. With your strength, you'll certainly achieve an excellent ranking. Perhaps you can even contend for First Place and win that Foundation Establishment Pill!"
Shen Hao patted his shoulder, encouragement in his eyes. "You're not bad either. You've advanced by leaps and bounds lately. Cultivate well, and strive to make a name for yourself in the Inner Sect Grand Competition too. Don't let all your hard work go to waste."
The two were chatting by the roadside when an argument suddenly broke out at a talisman stall not far away, drawing the attention of many nearby disciples. Shen Hao and Zhang Shan exchanged a glance. Both were curious, so they followed the sound over.
An Inner Sect Disciple clad in a Blue Daoist Robe stood there with his face flushed red, glaring furiously at the White-haired Old Man behind the stall while cursing nonstop. "Your trash talismans don't have the effects you claimed they did! I bought your Iron Armor Talisman and used it against a Qi Refining Fourth Layer Rock Thorn Pig. The talisman shattered after blocking just one hit, and I nearly suffered severe injuries from that Rock Thorn Pig! Return my Spirit Stones at once, or I'll report your fraud to the market steward!"
The White-haired Old Man remained utterly calm. He slowly stroked his grizzled beard and replied unhurriedly, "Disciple, you must not speak recklessly. My talisman was clearly marked as a Low-grade Defense Talisman. At most, it can withstand a full-force strike from a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator, or an ordinary attack from a Qi Refining Fourth Layer Demon Beast. Yet you insisted on using it to directly withstand the Rock Thorn Pig's full-force charge. If the talisman shattered, that was because you used it improperly. How can you blame this old man?"
His words were reasonable and well-founded, and the surrounding disciples all nodded in agreement. The Inner Sect Disciple was immediately left speechless, his face turning green, then white. His mouth opened and closed, yet he could not force out a single word for a long while. In the end, he could only snort coldly, shoot the old man a vicious glare, and leave dejectedly after pushing through the crowd.
Shen Hao's gaze fell upon the yellow-paper, red-lettered talismans on the stall, and deep interest flashed through his eyes. Talismans were also one of a cultivator's important methods. They did not require the expenditure of one's own spiritual energy; a mere thread of Spiritual Power was enough to activate them. A powerful talisman could often produce an unexpected effect at a crucial moment—either preserving one's life or turning the tables to kill an enemy. For Shen Hao now, they were undoubtedly an excellent supplement to his combat strength.
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