Crowdfunding Cultivation

Ji An quietly waited for Old Huang's reply. He was not certain the man would generously loosen his purse strings, but he had at least a sixty to seventy percent chance.

He had dealt with people quite often in his previous life and believed he had some insight into the human heart. Most people were willing to help someone with a bright future.

He had already established himself as a spellcasting genius, which was why he had that sixty to seventy percent confidence.

However, they had known each other for too short a time, and he had not had the chance to leave an impression of repaying kindness with gratitude. That would make the other party somewhat hesitant.

Then again, whether Old Huang lent him money was up to Old Huang. Whether he opened his mouth to ask was up to him.

Old Huang was not his main target. He wanted to approach Zhao Mengyao, Zhang Yuanshan, Chu He, and his other three creditors, tactfully telling them that if they lent him more Spirit Crystals, the blessings to come would not be few.

Not only those few—every cultivator from Green Pine Dao Academy who entered the sect was his "potential customer."

If he could not borrow enough Spirit Stones from Zhao Mengyao and the other two, he was prepared to swallow his pride and visit every person he knew.

If they could not spare one Spirit Stone, then he could lower the price. Borrowing fifty Spirit Crystals should be fine, right?

If they still would not lend him any, then ten or twenty Spirit Crystals would do. A spellcasting genius was definitely worth that price, wasn't he?!

If he had no resources and found cultivation difficult, then he would crowdfund his cultivation!

Putting himself in their shoes, if he had a fairly comfortable amount of Spirit Crystals and a promising fellow disciple came to borrow Spirit Stones, he would agree.

After being rejected in sales, lowering the request and asking again increased the odds of success. There was data to support that. He had not worked as an insurance salesman for nothing in his previous life.

"Junior Brother, you are so driven. How could I, as your Senior Brother, refuse to help!"

Old Huang's eyes spun rapidly as he nodded in agreement, his words ringing with force.

After speaking, he pulled a Storage Bag from his robes, carefully took out a Spirit Stone, wiped it with his Daoist robe, and handed it over.

"I will forever remember Senior Brother's helping hand!"

A splendid start!

Having claimed Old Huang's first blood, Ji An happily rubbed the Spirit Stone, deeply gratified.

"There is no rush to repay the Spirit Stone. This year is extremely important to you. While you do not need to pay field rent to the sect, earning more Spirit Crystals is what counts as success."

Old Huang paused, then slowly continued.

"Once this season's Spirit Grain is harvested, if Little Brother An still needs Spirit Stones, just ask."

With his support, his grandson Huang Feihu would certainly enter the sect after the sect assessment three years later.

He did not have many days left within the mountain gate. Being able to leave his grandson one more favor to call upon was an excellent thing.

Ji An immediately cupped his hands. "Thank you for Senior Brother's generosity."

He roughly understood the unspoken meaning behind Old Huang's words: I'll give you three months. If you improve further, I'll increase my investment!

He did not know whether it was mere polite talk, but this Junior Brother was honest and simple, so he obviously took it as the truth.

Old Huang was a Seventh Layer of Qi Condensation disciple. Having given up cultivation, he spent most of his energy earning Spirit Crystals and should have considerable savings.

Ji An remembered that Old Huang had said his grandson had only entered the Dao Academy this year. Within the next year or so, he likely would not need Spirit Stones to buy Meridian Opening Pills.

If Ji An displayed even greater potential, he would surely receive a larger "credit limit."

Just wait and see!

Old Huang chuckled, then added.

"The sect's refined pills are in greater demand than supply. Without some connections, it is almost impossible to get any.

"If Little Brother An wants to buy pills, he can visit Senior Brother Wei Songnian at Azure Water Market. Unless something unusual comes up, he is there every afternoon.

"He has extensive connections and can often get genuine Yellow Bud Pills.

"If you want to improve your cultivation quickly, never buy inferior pills just because they are cheap. Otherwise, purging the pill toxins will cost you quite a bit of extra time."

Whenever Alchemists completed a batch, they would inevitably produce several substandard pills. Such pills had weak efficacy and potent toxicity, and were called inferior pills.

Ji An had his own calculations, but Old Huang's earnest guidance still warmed his heart. He cupped his hands again.

"Thank you for Senior Brother's guidance."

The sunset clouds resembled neat rows of fish scales, layered one upon another.

Azure Water Lake rippled gently, its entire surface awash in orange-red.

Sky and water blended into one, bewildering the eye.

Above the lake, Talisman Birds came and went without pause. Some Talisman Artifacts had even been fashioned in the shape of white clouds, making them seem all the more unworldly.

Now and then, immortal cranes cried clear calls. They were spirit beasts ridden by scions of great clans passing overhead.

The immortal cranes flew swiftly, their wind sending the nearby Talisman Birds swaying and rocking, drawing startled cries and peals of laughter.

Ji An trudged forward with heavy steps, his mouth wide open as he gasped for breath, and entered a bustling market.

At last, he found a corner against a wall and sat down. Clenching his fists, he muttered under his breath.

"Once I have Spirit Crystals, I'll definitely buy a Talisman Bird."

After resting for a while, he followed the information Old Huang had given him and found the Senior Brother who always wore a smile in the square where the stalls were set up.

A brown beast hide the size of a tabletop was spread over the bluestone paving. All manner of items were displayed across it in dazzling array, each bearing a small label with its name and price.

The handwriting was rounded yet not sloppy, clearly showing a solid foundation in calligraphy.

Talisman paper, talisman ink, pills, Talisman Artifacts, all kinds of herbs and ores, and other raw materials—the goods were numerous but arranged in perfect order, without the slightest clutter.

"Junior Brother Ji, you're here!" Wei Songnian's smile made one feel as though bathed in spring breeze.

"Senior Brother actually remembered me." Ji An's favorable impression of him rose another notch.

Wei Songnian smiled without speaking. He possessed a special talent: he never forgot a face once he had seen it.

Though that talent did not help with cultivation, it greatly aided him in expanding his connections in business circles.

"Just browsing, or do you need something? If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask."

Ji An got straight to the point.

"Senior Brother Huang introduced me. I came to buy some Yellow Bud Pills from Senior Brother."

"Yellow Bud Pills are the most suitable pills for Early Qi Condensation disciples. Genuine ones cost ten Spirit Crystals each, while flawed ones cost five Spirit Crystals each.

"Does Junior Brother want genuine pills or flawed ones?"

Ji An nodded lightly and handed over the Spirit Stone he had only received that morning.

He did not know the price of flawed pills, but the genuine ones were fairly priced.

The sect's Yellow Bud Pills retailed for nine Spirit Crystals each. One Spirit Stone could buy a bottle of twelve pills.

"Two genuine ones and one flawed one."

"Certainly." Wei Songnian skillfully wrapped them in white paper and said with a beaming smile, "Junior Brother has some spare wealth, too. Would you like anything else?"

Not many newly assigned Spirit Farmers could bring out Spirit Stones. A potential customer!

"Senior Brother knows my circumstances. I can't even afford a Talisman Bird. I borrowed these Spirit Stones from Senior Brother Huang."

"Old Huang's Spirit Stones aren't easy to borrow." Wei Songnian raised his brows slightly. He and Old Huang went way back; even when borrowing Spirit Stones for temporary turnover, he often had to spend plenty of breath persuading him.

I was waiting for you to ask. Otherwise, bragging about it myself would have been a little lacking.

Ji An lifted his chin slightly, revealing a faintly proud smile.

"I asked Senior Brother Huang to teach me how to water spirit fields. When I cast the Minor Cloud and Rain Art, inspiration struck, and my spell advanced to the minor accomplishment stage."

First Layer of Qi Condensation, less than half a month since entering the sect, and the Minor Cloud and Rain Art already at minor accomplishment—was this a planting Dao body?!

The surprise in Wei Songnian's eyes flashed away in an instant. He smiled.

"It's getting late. I'm packing up now. Junior Brother, come have a drink with me."

"Ah, how could I possibly mooch Senior Brother's wine?"