Setting Up Stall, Luo Qing

"Looks like I need to buy a book specifically introducing Immortal Cities. Otherwise, I know nothing about the Cultivation World and will easily be taken advantage of by others."

Lu Xiaotian thought this to himself. He had already suffered losses due to his ignorance several times. Even the time the Golden Robe Youth discovered him, it was pure luck that he escaped unharmed. But Lu Xiaotian knew that good luck wouldn't always be on his side.

"Selling Yao Cores! Second-tier Spirit Beast Blood Python Yao Cores, only eleven Low-grade Spirit Stones."

"Selling Cultivation Techniques! Ancient inherited Cultivation Technique, Fire Cloud Scripture, only six Low-grade Spirit Stones."

Besides the established shops, there were also some cultivators setting up street stalls on both sides of the street, selling Spiritual Grasses, Cultivation Techniques, and everything else.

"Fellow Daoist, come take a look! I have all sorts of Cultivation Techniques here. For cultivators, choosing a suitable Cultivation Technique is especially important. If the technique is poor, it will be difficult to cultivate to profound realms later on, and you might even be forever without Foundation Establishment."

A burly man with a face like a red date was enthusiastically shouting, and he greeted Lu Xiaotian warmly.

"I already have a Cultivation Technique," Lu Xiaotian replied, shaking his head.

"It doesn't matter if you have one, you can still take a look. Your current Cultivation is not high yet. If the technique you're cultivating is not suitable, it's best to switch to another one early. If you wait until later to switch, it will be too late," the red-faced man continued nonchalantly.

"I heard that Primordial Scripture is quite good. Do you have it here?" Lu Xiaotian asked, a thought striking him. His Primordial Scripture could only cultivate to the Mid Qi Refining Stage. In the past two years, he had also consulted several Cultivation Techniques obtained from the Black Robe Old Man's Storage Bag. There were fire, water, and earth attribute techniques. Although he could cultivate them, he felt they weren't as smooth as cultivating Primordial Scripture.

"Primordial Scripture? What is that? I've never heard of it. There are too many obscure Cultivation Techniques like that. I advise you to give up on it as soon as possible and switch to one of my ancient secret arts. Look at this one, Cold Water Art. Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, a Foundation Establishment senior from the Rogue Cultivator Alliance in our Moon Gazing City cultivated this technique. And this one too."

The red-faced man rambled on, introducing several Cultivation Techniques on his stall. However, most of what he said were rumors, with no solid evidence. Lu Xiaotian listened for a few sentences and felt the guy was just bragging. Nevertheless, the few Cultivation Techniques he had were not very useful. It would be good if he could exchange them for some Spirit Stones.

Lu Xiaotian casually picked up a few Cultivation Techniques and flipped through them. He didn't find any he was looking for. The techniques on the red-faced man's stall were basically for early and mid Qi Refining stages. So he asked, "Why don't you have any for late Qi Refining?"

The red-faced man said, "Fellow Daoist, you jest. Those complete sets of Cultivation Techniques are too expensive. With my humble business, how could I afford them? However, my techniques all have sources. You can find the middle or lower volumes in those specialized Cultivation Technique shops. Also, Fellow Daoist, don't aim too high. You are still in the early Qi Refining stage. It might take more than ten years to reach the mid Qi Refining stage, and even longer to go from mid to late stage. Even if you buy a late-stage technique, you might not actually be able to use it later."

"I see," Lu Xiaotian said. "Do you have anything about Spiritual Grasses, Spirit Beasts, or introductions to some secret arts of the Cultivation World? Also, I need a map of the area around Moon Gazing City."

"Oh, so that's what you need. I have Immortal City maps here, one Low-grade Spirit Stone. As for introductions to Spiritual Grasses, Yao Beasts, and secret arts of the Cultivation World that Fellow Daoist mentioned, I suggest you go to specialized shops. Compendium of Spiritual Grasses and Record of Yao Beasts record some common Spiritual Grass growth habits, as well as the activity habits and strength classifications of some Yao Beasts. As for records of secret arts, you can only find them through the experiences of cultivators. After all, cultivators rarely publicize their secret arts, as it would be extremely disadvantageous in future duels. Therefore, others can mostly only record them through observation, rumors, or personal combat experience. This street goes straight ahead, turn left at the next intersection, and the second shop is run by the Nangong Family, specializing in these."

The red-faced man quickly put down the Cultivation Technique he was holding and took out a scroll from his Storage Bag. Fearing that Lu Xiaotian wouldn't buy from him, he introduced these things with extra care.

"Okay, thank you," Lu Xiaotian nodded. There should be map scrolls sold in shops too, but after listening to the red-faced man for so long and asking some questions, he felt a bit embarrassed not to buy anything. Besides, street vendors were usually a bit cheaper than formal shops.

After taking the scroll, Lu Xiaotian followed the red-faced man's instructions and went to the shop run by the Nangong Family. The Cultivation Techniques inside were indeed dazzling, and the books displayed were far beyond what the red-faced man had. Lu Xiaotian specifically asked, and still didn't find Primordial Scripture. However, the shopkeeper suggested he go to the largest Cultivation Technique shop run by the Nie Family in the city, where he might find some information.

Lu Xiaotian thanked the shopkeeper and spent three Spirit Stones on Compendium of Spiritual Grasses and Record of Yao Beasts. The Spirit Stones in his Storage Bag decreased, which was truly heartbreaking. Three Spirit Stones were enough for him to cast dozens of spells. It seemed Spirit Stones were the universal currency for cultivators, just like gold and silver used by mortals in the secular world, only Spirit Stones had much greater utility than gold and silver.

After coming out, Lu Xiaotian wandered around and found a Spirit Talisman shop. He bought the most ordinary Fireball Talisman.

The price of Spirit Talismans was outrageously expensive. A single Fireball Talisman cost one Low-grade Spirit Stone. After paying the Spirit Stone, Lu Xiaotian felt a pang of pain holding the Fireball Talisman. At this rate, his Spirit Stones would run out soon. No wonder the Green Robe Daoist, after being cheated out of a few Spirit Stones, wanted to fight the fat man surnamed Zhu to the death.

In Moon Gazing City, everything required Spirit Stones. Without Spirit Stones, one could barely move. Yet, the wages offered by various shops and workshops were not high. Lu Xiaotian checked several places and found that for a low-level cultivator like him who knew nothing, the monthly wage was at most four to five Spirit Stones.

And even the cheapest inn, for a small room no more than ten feet square, cost two Spirit Stones a month. However, Lu Xiaotian was eager to verify his idea, so he didn't bother looking for an inn anymore. He paid the Spirit Stones and checked in directly.

The room contained nothing but a bed and a chair. It was as simple as could be. Lu Xiaotian didn't have time to fuss about it. He quickly sat cross-legged on the bed. At the same time, he held a Fireball Talisman in one hand.

Whoosh—

In the void, a giant green sphere floated far away, its edges unseen. Inside the familiar Green Fruit Barrier, the Black Robe Old Man's Primordial Spirit was wandering somewhere unknown. Lu Xiaotian's Spiritual Sense moved, and a Fireball Talisman instantly appeared beside him. Taking advantage of the Black Robe Old Man's Primordial Spirit's absence, Lu Xiaotian directly activated the Fireball Talisman.

Boom, a massive fireball appeared and struck the barrier. Flames erupted everywhere, but the barrier remained as still as expected.

"Just as I expected. Anything with spiritual energy can be transported into this mysterious space. Spirit Talismans are no exception, and I can even use them directly."

Lu Xiaotian was overjoyed. Although the Black Robe Old Man's Primordial Spirit was within the barrier and couldn't threaten his safety for the moment, every time he took a Pill, the Black Robe Old Man would take half the spiritual energy. How could he tolerate this? Furthermore, the Black Robe Old Man was like a hidden venomous snake, ready to strike at any moment. He didn't know how long the Green Fruit Barrier could trap him, so it was best to eliminate this hidden danger as soon as possible.

Previously, the Black Robe Old Man was powerful, and Lu Xiaotian was helpless. Now, he had finally found a solution. Although the Black Robe Old Man was close to the peak of Qi Refining, within this barrier, without spiritual energy replenishment, his cultivation would decrease after casting spells. Lu Xiaotian's eyes turned cold. As long as he prepared enough Spirit Talismans, it would be the Black Robe Old Man's death day.

"Huh? I clearly heard a noise here just now, but why isn't there even a ghost in sight?"

Shortly after Lu Xiaotian left, the Black Robe Old Man's golden-red Primordial Spirit orb appeared not far from where Lu Xiaotian had been. It looked around suspiciously, searching everywhere, but found no clues. All around was mist, exposed sand on the ground, and that damned green barrier.

His consciousness returned to his body. Lu Xiaotian saw that it was still early and left the inn again. He squatted down by a lively street with relatively heavy foot traffic and took out the three Cultivation Techniques from his Storage Bag to set up a stall. Although there were only three, they were all sufficient for cultivating to the late Qi Refining stage.

Compared to ordinary vendors, he had an advantage, Lu Xiaotian thought to himself. He sat there, waiting for customers, and at the same time, he flipped through Record of Yao Beasts, learning about the common Yao Beasts on the outskirts of the Moon Gazing Mountain Range.

"Second-tier Yao Beast, Blood Python. First-tier Yao Wild Boar, even Third-tier Yao Wild Boar King. The Fourth-tier Ironback Yao Lizard is actually comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, truly formidable!"

Lu Xiaotian read with great interest. Entering Moon Gazing City, he had truly encountered the world of cultivators, and it was so bizarre and fantastic.

"You won't be able to sell anything by setting up a stall like this." Suddenly, a crisp, slightly immature voice rang out.

Lu Xiaotian looked up and saw a young girl wearing a goose-yellow dress, with bright eyes, pearly teeth, and delicate features. She carried a small bundle on her back and said this with a slight smile. Then, less than half a zhang away from him, she skillfully unfastened her bundle and spread it out. There was a small furnace like a purple incense burner, a few light red wooden blocks, and several brushes that emitted a faint spiritual energy.

"Do you often set up stalls?" Lu Xiaotian asked, closing the Yao Beast record he was holding.

"Yes, I've been setting up stalls here for a while now. Look, I've been trying to sell this Alchemy Furnace for over a month, but it hasn't sold yet." The girl shrugged, then quickly smiled optimistically, "But I believe it will sell eventually. My name is Luo Qing, what's yours?"

"My name is Lu Xiaotian. Is your Alchemy Furnace any good? How much is it?" Lu Xiaotian asked.

"The quality of this Alchemy Furnace of mine is absolutely top-notch. It's made of Purple Profound Copper and can increase the success rate of alchemy. Even high-level Alchemists can use it, unlike the ordinary Red Copper Alchemy Furnaces on other stalls. What, do you need an Alchemy Furnace? If you want it, I can give you a slight discount," Luo Qing said, looking at Lu Xiaotian with anticipation.