Pingwu County Town

The black-robed old man's Primordial Spirit was overjoyed the moment it saw Lu Xiaotian emerge. "Good disciple, you've finally come out. Please, let me out. I'll serve you like an ox or a horse—whatever conditions you name, I'll agree to them."

These past few months, unable to cultivate and with no one to speak to, surrounded by nothing but a vast whiteness of fog and the grit beneath him, he could endure such dull days. But in his current state as a Primordial Spirit, even his lifespan would be depleted. This endless waiting was enough to drive a man mad. Over the past few months, Lu Xiaotian had repeatedly tested it. With but a thought from him, strands of mist would wrap around and protect him. With no lingering worries, Lu Xiaotian could now face the black-robed old man calmly.

"Serve me like an ox or horse? I don't think I have the fortune to enjoy that. Even those people who entered the gorge with you were killed by you. With my little bit of ability, I wouldn't dare take such a risk," Lu Xiaotian said.

"In the world of cultivation, it has always been the strong devouring the weak. Cultivators scheming against and slaughtering one another over treasures is no stranger than a common meal. If I hadn't killed them, they wouldn't have spared me either," the black-robed old man sneered.

Lu Xiaotian blurted out, "So you really did kill them all!"

The black-robed old man's expression twitched. He was an old fox through and through, and quickly realized that Lu Xiaotian had been fishing for his words. So young, yet already possessing such cunning—if his aptitude had not been somewhat lacking, he would surely have made a name for himself sooner or later. It seemed that blindly begging him would no longer serve any purpose. This brat would most likely not fall for any tricks either. He could only continue searching for a way to escape this cage himself.

Lu Xiaotian asked several more questions, but after realizing he had been tricked, the black-robed old man either kept silent or answered with sarcastic reversals in an attempt to draw words from him. Lu Xiaotian could not help feeling annoyed. Hearing that the black-robed old man had killed the other three, he had been so shocked that he let slip for a moment. He had not expected the old bastard to react so quickly. Still, from the black-robed old man's scattered remarks, he could roughly judge how perilous the cultivation world was. He would have to be doubly careful in the future. If he carelessly fell into someone else's trap, regret would come too late.

With that thought, Lu Xiaotian opened his eyes. The dense forest returned to view. He rode on the Leopard's back, hurrying onward while cultivating, and at the same time studied the method of controlling the little green ants according to the insect-taming section of the Beast-Taming Art.

Half a month later, he arrived at a bustling county town. Vendors lined both sides of the streets, selling bamboo wares, candied hawthorns, and wild animal pelts. Lu Xiaotian carried an enormous bulging pack on his back as he threaded through crowds of gentry, merchants, and commoners. From time to time, he also saw wandering martial artists with sabers and swords on their backs, dressed in fitted martial attire.

"I never expected Pingwu County Town to be like this. It looks even livelier than Qingzhu County."

Lu Xiaotian looked around at the passersby and the shops along the street with great interest. He had spent more than half a year in the gorge, then wandered through the deep mountains for several months without seeing a single person. Now that he had returned to such a bustling marketplace, he could not help feeling somewhat excited. As far as he knew, Pingwu County bordered Qingzhu County. Lost in the mountains, he had stumbled here by sheer coincidence.

But his mood soon settled. He stopped before a pharmacy with an antique, fragrant-looking plaque above its entrance, bearing the words Wonder Ganoderma Hall. This was the fourth pharmacy he had seen along the way, and it was by far the grandest. It should be able to offer a good price for his herbs.

Inside were three assistants in their early twenties, an elderly physician seated in consultation, and a ruddy-faced, plump accountant-shopkeeper. Lu Xiaotian entered, glanced over them, then asked one of the taller assistants, "Does your shop buy medicinal herbs?"

"Wonder Ganoderma Hall is the largest pharmacy in Pingwu County Town. We have no interest in a few ordinary herbs. You're just a little brat—what are you joining the fun for?"

There were several customers in the shop, and the assistant was busy attending to them. He waved Lu Xiaotian off impatiently. The better medicinal herbs mostly grew in the deep mountains and ancient forests, places rarely visited by humans and often frequented by fierce beasts and venomous snakes. Even martial artists did not dare enter lightly. As for the ordinary herbs around the outskirts, Wonder Ganoderma Hall had its own suppliers and had no interest in scattered individual sellers.

Lu Xiaotian frowned and took a rather large piece of Solomon's seal from the bundle on his back. It had dozens of fine, closely packed nodes on it.

"Solomon's seal over forty years old!" The elderly physician, who was especially sensitive to the age of medicinal herbs, immediately saw what was extraordinary about it. Though it was not quite a supreme-grade herb, it was already a fine medicinal ingredient.

"How much will you offer for this Solomon's seal?" Lu Xiaotian asked.

"Young brother, you're quite something. Solomon's seal of this age is not commonly seen. I can offer you thirty taels of silver. What do you think?" The plump shopkeeper immediately changed his expression and spoke with a beaming smile.

Lu Xiaotian did not answer. He simply put the Solomon's seal away and turned to leave.

"Wait! If you think the price is too low, we can negotiate further." The plump shopkeeper had not expected such a reaction. Seeing Lu Xiaotian about to step out the door, he hurriedly called after him.

"You offered several tenths below market price, and medicinal herbs several decades old are mostly in greater demand than supply. Shopkeeper, that's quite a business you run." Lu Xiaotian turned back and gave the plump shopkeeper an indifferent look. He had asked at several pharmacies already; how could he be fooled so easily?

"Young brother is indeed a shrewd man. Forgive my poor eyesight. I'm terribly sorry. How about this—one price, fifty taels." The plump shopkeeper hurriedly clasped his hands and bowed with an apologetic smile.

That was nearly several taels more than he had expected, so Lu Xiaotian was fairly satisfied. Back when he had worked as a menial servant, it took several months just to save up two silver beans. Yet a single piece of Solomon's seal before him could fetch such a price. This money alone would be enough for his family to live free of hunger and cold for decades.

Lu Xiaotian had just been about to agree when he suddenly sensed a faint trace of spiritual qi coming from Wonder Ganoderma Hall's rear courtyard. Its aura was exactly the same as that of the Qi-Gathering Pill. His heart gave a violent leap. That was right—it had to be a spiritual herb used to refine Qi-Gathering Pills.

"I'm not selling this Solomon's seal."

"Not selling? Then what did you come to Wonder Ganoderma Hall for? Are you here to toy with me?" The plump shopkeeper said, displeasure showing on his face.

"I heard that Wonder Ganoderma Hall has a complete variety of medicinal herbs. I need some relatively uncommon herbs, so I wish to exchange with the shopkeeper. Since this Solomon's seal is valued at fifty taels of silver, I'll use it to trade for other herbs, making up any difference or receiving the excess."

Lu Xiaotian had wandered through the desolate mountains and wilderness for months without finding another spiritual herb. Now that he had unexpectedly encountered one, how could he let it slip away?

The plump shopkeeper's expression eased slightly. "So that's how it is. Easy enough. What kind of herb does young brother want?"

Lu Xiaotian said, "This herb has a rather distinctive scent. I caught its fragrance. Shopkeeper, you wouldn't mind if I entered Wonder Ganoderma Hall's rear courtyard, would you?"

"No problem." The plump shopkeeper nodded.

Wonder Ganoderma Hall's rear courtyard was extremely spacious. Many herbs were being laid out to dry, while others were being ground or roasted. Several dozen people bustled about at work. There was also a horse-drawn cart, and two burly men were unloading the medicinal herbs it carried.