Life Weak, Soul Strong [Third Update]

"Out of money?"

Although Hu Qi's words were tactful, Qiu Yan immediately grasped the key point.

Whether in past or present lives, as long as one exists in human society, one saying will never be wrong—

Without money, you can't move an inch.

Qiu Yan and the others had earned a considerable amount of money from selling calligraphy in Eastern Capital. However, along the way, they had not only incurred ordinary expenses but also suffered several unexpected setbacks, resulting in substantial expenditures. Now, after purchasing a large quantity of medicinal herbs, their money was finally running out.

Of course, for cultivators like Qiu Yan and Hu Qi who have mastered the art of Soul Condensation Soul Tempering, making money is not difficult. However, being in Prosperity Capital presents many inconveniences. Furthermore, given that Metropolitan Examination and before the results are announced, they need to act cautiously. Therefore, there are not many ways to make money in a short period of time.

However, Qiu Yan did not show any surprise, as if he had expected it. While listening to Hu Qi's words, he maintained the connection between his mind and Prosperity Capital Will, and at the same time, he vibrated his muscles and skin to allow the medicinal power to spread to his limbs and bones to replenish the Qi and Blood he had consumed.

Most of these medicinal herbs are common items, but when combined, their medicinal properties are comparable to a tonic.

The bowl that Hu Qi brought contained a large amount of medicinal herbs, enough for an ordinary person to eat for ten days or half a month. If an ordinary person swallowed it whole, they would inevitably be too weak to handle the nourishment and would suffer harm instead. Although Qiu Yan's breath was weak, his foundation was there, and with the Seven Souls Transforming the False Core, he could certainly withstand it.

However, although the amount of medicinal herbs was extremely large, it could only barely replenish the Qi and Blood that Qiu Yan had consumed, and it was still slightly insufficient.

In fact, Qiu Yan had better options. For example, the jade pendant on his waist contained surging blood and Qi and Blood, which could strengthen his bones and replenish his energy. However, it was Postnatal Realm power from the Demon King and was not as natural as the nutrition of medicinal herbs. If he absorbed it rashly, it would not only leave impurities in his body, but also integrate into his Qi and Blood and bone marrow. It would take too much effort and time to remove the influence.

Qiu Yan has now condensed his False Core and entered the second stage of the Third Realm. He is able to change the nature of his flesh and blood. At this stage, any impurities that affect his Qi and Blood, bone marrow, and marrow cannot be ignored and will become obstacles to his future advancement.

It's important to understand that to transform the False Core into Golden Core, removing impurities and purifying the Seven Souls is one of the steps involved. Only then can True Essence be generated, so how can impurities be added?

In contrast, although medicinal herbs may also have residues from the Postnatal Realm, these residues are fundamentally different from human flesh and blood and are easier to excrete from the body.

Besides, Qiu Yan had an even more ideal choice of medicinal herbs, but he hesitated to purchase them due to their relationship.

"Replenishing Qi and Blood with medicinal herbs is still insufficient. Although it can prevent the decline of one's cultivation in the Fate Dao, as long as one continues to comprehend and constantly peel away Qi and Blood and blood to strengthen and nourish the Divine Soul, the weakening of the physical body is inevitable. However, based on my current feelings, it may not necessarily be a bad thing..."

Qiu Yan's mind raced, he took a deep breath, and with a flicker of his Heart Fire, his Divine Soul swelled and contracted, becoming even more closely connected with the City Will. His Divine Soul seemed poised to break free of his body at any moment and ride the wind away, as if the Fleshly Body's restraint on his Divine Soul had almost completely vanished.

"My physical body is weakening, but my Divine Soul is growing stronger. The balance of life is collapsing, and the connection between my soul and spirit is almost severed. On the one hand, this makes my physical body weaken rapidly, but at the same time, it makes my Divine Soul temporarily superior to my flesh and blood. My senses are more sensitive and not restrained by myself, which makes it easier to contact Prosperity Capital's will. This is an opportunity, but the specific details have not yet been sorted out."

Ordinary cultivators, upon reaching the Third Realm, must have one primary and one secondary element within their life force, thus merging into one and no longer affecting each other. However, Qiu Yan's life force is parallel, yet there is no way to truly merge them into one. Normally, this is fine, but in reality, they restrain each other, thus limiting his Divine Soul perception.

As he pondered this, he glanced at Hu Qi and slowly stood up.

"It's best to maintain this weakened state for now. As long as your Divine Soul cultivation is still intact, you can use the Prosperity Capital Will to explore your surroundings. So you're not afraid of danger. In the capital city of Prosperity Capital, even cultivators have to restrain themselves from open robbery and at most resort to underhanded tactics."

With that thought in mind, Qiu Yan calmly took out a calligraphy scroll and handed it to Hu Qi.

This time, he will once again rely on selling calligraphy and paintings to earn money, just like before.

Just as Dai Guo said, Qiu Yan's calligraphy is valuable. Anyone who knows its value can see it. Prosperity Capital, as the capital of Great Rui, is the Central Pivot of the world. There are many study rooms and painting shops in the city. In terms of quantity, there are many more than in Eastern Capital.

The moment Qiu Yan's calligraphy and paintings were taken, the eyes of the owners and shopkeepers lit up.

In this line of work, how many people don't know the value of a piece? Qiu Yan's calligraphy has a unique charm; anyone who isn't blind can see it. It's just that the final result was not entirely satisfactory.

When Hu Qi returned to the inn with the calligraphy, Qiu Yan couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Hu Qi could only explain with a wry smile, "Young Master, their offer is too low, not even a third of what Eastern Capital Thousand Books Studio offers."

Last time I sold a piece of calligraphy, I got ten taels of silver, which is a considerable sum. Nowadays, the main currency in Great Rui is copper coins, and merchants in the Central Passes also use Jiaozi. In comparison, silver is not mined or imported much, so it is considered a store of value and has considerable worth.

Ten taels of silver, in Qiu Yan's previous life, would have been at least a year's income for a middle-class person.

When Qiu Yan was selling his calligraphy in Eastern Capital, he wasn't very famous yet. Even though his calligraphy had a certain charm, it still fetched a high price. While the technique of calligraphy and painting itself is important, it is also affected by other factors. The most typical point is that the works of living people are not as good as those of dead people, and the works of young people are not as good as those of old people.

But now, Qiu Yan has gained a certain reputation in Prosperity Capital. The calligraphy has a signature and seal on it, so it would be too much to say that it's only worth three taels of silver.

Qiu Yan frowned slightly and pondered for a moment.

"Three taels? That's way beyond what's normal for haggling; it's practically a price-cutting tactic. From what you're saying, you've been to quite a few bookstores. Are they all offering this price? Isn't anyone trying to snag a bargain?"

Three taels of silver should be a considerable sum, but Hu Qi knew that with the daily purchase of medicinal herbs for some time to come, and considering his daily expenses, it would be far from enough.

Silver may seem like a small matter, but it has far-reaching consequences. Without medicinal herbs to replenish his body, he cannot maintain his comprehension of the City Will and Dragon Qi, which would disrupt Qiu Yan's plans and cause him to lose a rare opportunity, resulting in more harm than good. However, he cannot be a sucker and be taken advantage of by everyone.

After thinking it over, Qiu Yan shook his head, wondering if he should try a different approach.

"Young master, although I don't know much about calligraphy, I do know the ways of buying and selling. Things are always valued for their rarity. Your painting can only be exchanged for three taels of silver in Prosperity Capital. To make ends meet, you would have to sell one every two or three days. But if you sell too many, they become worthless. Your calligraphy is a treasure, how can it be humiliated like this!"

As he spoke, resentment appeared on his face.

Hu Qi understood that spending every day painting and writing would not only waste time but also make him look down upon and invite gossip. However, seeing his expression, Qiu Yan's thoughts shifted, and she asked, "Have you heard some news?"

Hu Qi nodded and said, "Young master, I received a hint in a study. I heard that the calligraphy and painting industry in Prosperity Capital is controlled by one person who buys low and sells high. Although your calligraphy has a certain charm, your reputation for calligraphy and painting has not yet spread in Prosperity Capital, yet they can already take advantage of you!"

"Industry monopoly?" Qiu Yan was slightly surprised. "Prosperity Capital truly lives up to its reputation as the capital; its tertiary industry is developing rapidly."

"Huh? Young master, what did you say?"

"No, it's nothing." Qiu Yan shook his head and flicked his fingers. "These scholars are all connected, and indeed, every profession has its rules. I have some reputation in Prosperity Capital, but it's limited to the candidates for the Scholar Forest examinations, so it's not very well-known. It's not easy to make things difficult. It seems I need to find another way. However, I'm not good at making money, so I hope it won't take up too much time."

Upon hearing this, Hu Qi hesitated, but Qiu Yan noticed and asked him what was wrong. He then said, "When I was leaving, an old man reminded me that the most famous young people in Prosperity Capital today are Bai Zhaoyuan, Wen Zhizhen, and Qi Jiulian. If they were to collaborate on calligraphy and paintings, even the person behind the art studio wouldn't be able to suppress them too much, and they could get some justice."

"Find someone to co-sign?" Qiu Yan frowned slightly. Although he didn't want to go through the trouble, it was, after all, his own work. He certainly wouldn't feel comfortable relying on other people's names to elevate its reputation.

Hu Qi offered his opinion and then said nothing more, simply waiting.

Qiu Yan thought for a moment and finally said, "Well, in this world, you have to put in some effort to reap the rewards. I originally planned to start Cultivating Prestige after the results were released, but a few more days won't make a difference. Let's deal with the immediate matters first."

"Does the young master have a plan?" Hu Qi asked at the opportune moment.

Qiu Yan glanced at him. "Didn't you say that Pang Qianru was going to throw a banquet?"

"Indeed, young master, are you planning to attend the banquet?" Hu Qi's face showed worry, clearly concerned about Qiu Yan's health.

"Things shouldn't be done more than three times. If we refuse the kindness of this daughter of a powerful family again, it will backfire," Qiu Yan said with a smile. "Besides, we really need to experience the Prosperity Capital Literary Banquet. Otherwise, once we become officials, we won't have the chance to experience it again."

As soon as he finished speaking, other thoughts flashed through his mind.

"These many things have piled up together, and it's truly a tangled mess. I just hope that Nine Spirits Mountain can hold out a little longer."

Meanwhile, in the next room, the Golden Crow Elders were sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, but suddenly opened their eyes at the same time, as if flames were dancing in their eyes, and then they both showed expressions of surprise and uncertainty.

"Just now, our Nascent Soul trembled, and a chill ran through us, as if we were being watched by someone!"

The two exchanged a glance and communicated using a special method. Then, they both turned their gazes to the window, but all they saw was an ordinary scene, nothing unusual.

"Strangeness..."

Unbeknownst to them, two faint shadows were moving through the gaps in the Dragon Qi that day.

"The host of the Heart Ape is in this house! But for some reason, the City Will here is too strong; we need to consider this carefully..." (To be continued. Please search for the novel for better and faster updates!)