Method

The so-called Skill Transmission Jade Slip is a tool where a cultivator infuses their own insights into a cultivation technique or spell into a jade slip. Others can then obtain those insights through the jade slip, deepening their understanding of the spell technique and speeding up their cultivation progress.

It's truly a shortcut to success.

Chen Lin got a bit excited and blurted out, "How many spirit stones for an Object Manipulation Technique Skill Transmission Jade Slip?"

As the saying goes, if money can solve a problem, it's not a real problem. He still had some spirit stones on him, and to get out of this strange place as fast as possible, he couldn't afford to worry about wasting them.

"Two thousand spirit stones!"

The woman named a price that left Chen Lin completely speechless.

This wasn't just expensive—it was outright robbery.

If a mere Object Manipulation Technique cost this much, what about other spells? Higher-level ones? How absurd would those prices get?

Noticing the shift in Chen Lin's expression, the woman gave a faint smile and said, "Does my fellow daoist think it's too much? But you must understand, to craft a Skill Transmission Jade Slip, one needs at least Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation. Do you still think it's expensive now?"

It required a Foundation Establishment cultivator to make?

Chen Lin was genuinely surprised this time.

Just for an Object Manipulation Technique, they needed an expert at the Foundation Establishment level. It seemed the Skill Transmission Jade Slip was no ordinary item.

If it required a Foundation Establishment cultivator's effort, two thousand spirit stones wasn't actually too much. Given the status of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, any lower price wouldn't even be worth their time.

Besides, the blank jade slip itself was a valuable item.

Wait!

Chen Lin's mind stirred.

If she was saying this, could it mean that behind Water Moon Pavilion, there was actually a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

He had always thought this was just an ordinary shop, but now it seemed there was more hidden beneath the surface.

Whether what she said was true or not, he couldn't afford it either way. Chen Lin left Water Moon Pavilion with a helpless expression and then scoured the Market for prices on Enlightenment Pills and Skill Transmission Jade Slips.

Just as the woman had said, there simply weren't any Skill Transmission Jade Slips for low-level spells like Object Manipulation Technique.

The spells were too basic to match such a high-end setup.

As for the Enlightenment Pill, its price was an outrageous six thousand spirit stones, and even then, it was unavailable on the open market—completely impossible to buy!

It was a relatively advanced pill. Using it would put someone into an enlightenment state for a period of time, but using it to practice Object Manipulation Technique would be a sheer waste of a treasure.

In fact, aside from the common Qi Replenishing Pill and Blood Stanching Pill, every pill related to cultivation wasn't sold publicly. They were all controlled by the major powers.

After learning all this, Chen Lin couldn't help but curse the woman as a profiteer under his breath. He had wasted ten Low-grade Spirit Stones for nothing.

The woman at Water Moon Pavilion had seemed to give him two options, but in reality, only the second one was viable.

Was he really going to have to spend two thousand spirit stones to buy their Skill Transmission Jade Slip?

Chen Lin walked along, silently pondering.

Of course, it was just pondering. He knew it wasn't realistic.

Two thousand spirit stones—he had no idea how long it would take to save up. And even if he did manage to get the Object Manipulation Technique, what about learning other spells later? He couldn't keep relying on this method forever.

"If it really comes down to it, I'll just have to grind through and master Object Manipulation Technique and Wind Control Technique the hard way. I'll figure out the rest later," Chen Lin muttered helplessly.

He had even considered refining the Enlightenment Pill himself. After all, with his special ability, he was sure he could pull it off.

But forget the cost of the raw materials—he couldn't even get his hands on the Pill Recipe.

Not just the Enlightenment Pill's recipe; none of the shops in the entire Market sold any Pill Recipes at all!

Feeling down, Chen Lin lost the desire to keep browsing and decided to head home.

Just then, a middle-aged man in a fur-lined leather coat crept up to him suspiciously.

The man had Triangular Eyes, a pointed chin, and a pair of thin mustaches—the kind of face that screamed "villain" in any novel.

Chen Lin grew wary. His hand secretly gripped the Carefree Sword wrapped in his bundle, while his other hand clutched a stack of Fireball Talismans.

"Fellow daoist, interested in a Pill Recipe?"

The man leaned in and suddenly opened the front of his bulky coat. Inside, several pockets were sewn into the lining, each holding a yellowed Scroll that looked ancient and worn.

This scene caught Chen Lin completely off guard.

It felt strangely familiar.

It stirred a memory from his past life.

On a dimly lit street at night, a sleazy older man had stopped him and asked mysteriously, "Want some discs?"

Same scene. Same move.

"Not buying!"

Chen Lin replied coldly and tried to brush past him.

But the man's next words made him stop.

"An Enlightenment Pill Pill Recipe. Only three hundred spirit stones. I guarantee it's a copy from an authentic recipe—every word matches!"

The other party had directly recited the recipe for the Enlightenment Pill!

Chen Lin's expression instantly turned cold as he looked at the man and said, "You followed me?"

"Heh heh."

The Sleazy Man let out a dry laugh and replied, "Wouldn't call it following. I just happened to see Your Excellency searching for the Enlightenment Pill recipe in a shop."

Then he added, "To be honest with Your Excellency, pill recipes are the treasures of alchemists. No alchemist would ever sell one. Trying to buy one through proper channels is pure wishful thinking!"

"Oh? If pill recipes are so precious, how do you have so many? Could it be you're a Master Alchemist?"

Chen Lin mocked him with a sarcastic look.

The Sleazy Man paid no mind to the jab and even puffed out his chest.

With a somewhat arrogant air, he said, "Every snake has its path, every rat its route. You don't need to know where my recipes come from. Just know that if you miss me today, you won't find the Enlightenment Pill recipe anywhere else."

With that.

He glanced around cautiously, and seeing no one was paying attention, urged impatiently.

"So, do you want it or not? Hurry up, or I'm leaving!"

Chen Lin frowned.

He thought about walking away, but after a moment's consideration, he asked casually, "How can I be sure your recipe is real?"

"I can swear a Heart Demon Oath. If the recipe I sell has even a hint of falsehood, may my soul scatter to the winds!"

The Sleazy Man's expression turned solemn as he raised a hand to the sky and made the vow.

Chen Lin was taken aback.

The other party actually dared to swear a Heart Demon Oath!

Oaths in this world weren't made lightly. There truly was a Heavenly Dao watching over all, and the Heart Demon Oath, while not infallible, carried immense binding power.

Could it be.

The recipe he was selling was real?

Chen Lin's interest stirred.

No matter where the man's goods came from—stolen or snatched—as long as they were genuine.

After all, he was currently disguised. Once he left, no one could find him.

"Can I take a look?"

Chen Lin hesitated, wanting to inspect the goods first.

But the man waved his hand repeatedly. "No way. There's not much content on this recipe. If you glance at it, you'll memorize the whole thing. Do you want to buy it or not? Forget it, I'm done wasting words!"

The Sleazy Man seemed annoyed and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Chen Lin quickly called him back.

The man's reasoning was sound. Pill recipes really weren't something you could easily verify.

He stopped dragging his feet and said, "I won't inspect it, but can you lower the price? I don't have that many spirit stones on me!"

He desperately needed the Enlightenment Pill recipe right now, so even though he knew the man was likely a swindler, he decided to take a gamble.

But gambling three hundred spirit stones was out of the question. A discount, however, was worth considering.

"Tch, what a fussy man. Fine, how much do you want to knock off?"

The Sleazy Man turned back, looking thoroughly impatient.

"Ten spirit stones."

Chen Lin's voice was low, and even he felt the price was a bit ridiculous.

Sure enough.

The Sleazy Man flew into a rage.

"Ten spirit stones? Are you joking? This is a pill recipe, not a head of cabbage!"

Chen Lin had to admit his haggling was a bit too aggressive.

After thinking it over.

He pulled a small money pouch from his bundle and shook it. "There are twenty spirit stones here. That's all I have on me. Take it or leave it!"

Honestly, Chen Lin didn't think the deal would go through.

Twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones compared to the Enlightenment Pill recipe—there was no way they matched up.

Even if it was stolen, you'd still have to charge a risk premium!

But to his great surprise, the man acted furious, yanked out one of the Scrolls, strode over quickly, shoved it into Chen Lin's hand, and snatched the spirit stone pouch away.

"You got lucky today. If I'd already made a sale, you wouldn't even be thinking about this price!"

The man wrapped his fur coat tight, trudged through the snow, and vanished from sight in no time.

"Damn it, I've been had!"

Seeing this, even as slow as Chen Lin was, he knew his spirit stones were gone for good.