Self-Severing Root

If the Heavenly Dao had not interrupted him and forcibly stuffed him with a Heavenly Dao Foundation, he definitely would not have stopped after earning so little. But a Heavenly Dao Foundation was something Spirit Stones could not buy.

It was hard to say whether he had profited or lost.

For instance, as he wandered leisurely along the main road, the Heavenly Dao Foundation within him slowly rotated, automatically absorbing the spiritual energy in the surrounding air and gradually advancing his cultivation.

The speed was indeed a little slow, but he did not need to close his eyes, compose himself, and circulate a cultivation method. It was practically AFK cultivation.

The spiritual energy in the Heaven-Question Mountains was not particularly abundant. In fact, this was common knowledge in the cultivation world: places rich in spiritual energy were either forbidden lands or territories where great clans and sects had planted their flags and ruled as kings.

A market like this was unlikely to occupy a place with abundant spiritual energy.

"Let's change clothes first."

Chen Qiu had long wanted to change out of the clothes Fat Dragon had given him. The sizing did not fit at all; they were far too loose, making him look somewhat slovenly.

When the two emerged from a clothing shop, both had been completely renewed.

They bought eight sets.

All were made from excellent materials.

Each set cost two Spirit Stones, for a total of sixteen Spirit Stones. They each took two sets, and also brought two sets apiece for the scholar and his brother.

In truth, no matter how fine the material was, it was still merely mortal goods and not worth that price. But every set had a small Dust-Repelling Formation inlaid and inscribed into it with "golden thread."

Its effect was simple: it kept the clothes from gathering dust.

Other than that, it had no other use.

"If it didn't have this Dust-Repelling Formation, these clothes would be worth ten taels of silver at most!"

Fat Dragon lowered his head and carefully stroked the fabric of his new clothes, muttering in dissatisfaction, though the corners of his mouth could not help but rise. The fabric was truly good, and so was the workmanship. The black-and-red long robe suited his tastes perfectly, and even his big belly looked especially imposing in it. The price was just far too expensive.

And it was not very convenient for fighting.

That damned shopkeeper had actually told him that people who bought clothes like these generally did not fight personally.

But they really did look good.

Chen Qiu merely chuckled without speaking. He had picked out a green robe for himself. Walking through the ancient town after the rain, he looked as though he had stepped out of an ink-wash painting. He felt dust repellence was quite necessary; it could keep blood from staining his clothes.

He had also bought himself a rather expensive jade feather fan, worth a full Spirit Stone.

With a casual flick—

Tsk, this really did feel good. Far more comfortable than chopping firewood.

They continued to the next shop.

"Where's the shopkeeper? Come out and receive your customers!"

"Do you have Voice-Transmission Talismans? What are the prices?"

Fat Dragon strode into the Zhao Clan Merchant Association shop they had visited a few days ago and shouted boldly. It had to be said that although these clothes were a little overpriced and not quite worth it, wearing them somehow made his confidence surge higher and higher.

Five months after crossing over, he had not acted this arrogantly in a long time.

Tsk, this felt great—far better than being a supplement at the Flower-Offering Sect.

The shopkeeper receiving them this time was still the same one from before. Hearing the voice, he hurried out from behind the counter. When he saw the two of them, he paused slightly, naturally recognizing them as the pair who had come a few days ago to buy a Lower-Grade Heavenly Dao Retrospection Talisman.

Though somewhat surprised inwardly, he maintained a gentle smile. "Of course we have them. The Zhao Clan Merchant Association has shops throughout the entire Great Xia Kingdom. Voice-Transmission Talismans are something every faction requires, so naturally we carry them."

"Come, come, look over here."

The shopkeeper led the two to a corner of the store. "These are Lower-Grade Voice-Transmission Talismans: one mother talisman and seven child talismans. They allow voice transmission within ten li and cost one Spirit Stone. The spiritual energy within the talismans lasts for one year."

"The ones beside them are Mid-Grade Voice-Transmission Talismans: one mother talisman and fifty child talismans. They allow voice transmission within a hundred li and cost fifty Spirit Stones. These are generally supplied to lineages or small sects."

"The ones hanging at the very top are Superior Voice-Transmission Talismans: one mother talisman and three hundred child talismans. They allow voice transmission within three hundred li and cost three hundred Spirit Stones."

The gray-haired shopkeeper paused slightly before probing, "Superior Voice-Transmission Talismans are generally used by certain sects with considerable power. Through them, disciples traveling abroad can be summoned back, or assignments can be issued."

"All three types of Voice-Transmission Talismans last for one year. After a year, they must be repurchased."

"Which kind would you like?"

"How much is that one?"

Chen Qiu looked toward the ring carefully placed in a half-open jade box atop the shelf before him and asked softly. Beside the jade box was a display plaque showing the ring's name.

"Voice-Transmission Ring."

"This one?"

The shopkeeper carefully took down the box and handed it to them before introducing it. "This is a Voice-Transmission Ring. It is more convenient to use than Voice-Transmission Talismans, and both its transmission speed and range far surpass theirs."

"It is made by splitting an extremely rare material known as Mother-and-Child Stone into several pieces: one mother ring and ten child rings."

"Moreover, it can transmit not only sound, but images as well. It is generally used by the core true disciples of major sects, or the direct descendants of great clans."

"One set costs one thousand Spirit Stones."

"There is no limit on its usable lifespan. As long as it is not destroyed in battle or lost, it can be used indefinitely."

"Mhm."

Chen Qiu nodded lightly. Though he said nothing, it was clear that he preferred this Voice-Transmission Ring. Leaving aside everything else, if they needed to communicate during a battle, speaking into a ring would certainly be much faster and more convenient than pulling a Voice-Transmission Talisman from one's robes and speaking into it.

Though the price was a little steep, it could be used permanently, so it was acceptable.

"Wrap this up first. We'll settle the bill together later."

He swept his gaze around the shop. "Do you have any talismans or the like? Things for preserving one's life, attacking, or accelerating cultivation?"

"Yes, yes, of course!"

Even though this gray-haired shopkeeper had seen much of the world, a sharp gleam could not help but burst forth from his clouded eyes. Anyone who could afford a Voice-Transmission Ring was surely the young master of some great faction. And since he had come to buy it himself rather than with his parents, his authority was clearly not low; he was already capable of standing on his own.

That faction was certainly no small one. The Voice-Transmission Ring had been displayed in this shop for more than ten years, and had not truly been intended for sale. No faction within a hundred li could afford such a thing.

It was displayed here merely to demonstrate the Zhao Clan Merchant Association's strength, while making the prices of the Voice-Transmission Talismans below seem not so expensive.

He had encountered young masters in the capital before who could afford such Voice-Transmission Rings. When they bought talismans, it was like wholesaling them to take home and start a business.

This was a huge deal!

"Right—"

The shopkeeper suddenly remembered something. He pulled two invitations and a list of auction items from his robes and handed them over. "There is an annual auction at Heaven-Question Market tonight. Quite a few lots have been prepared this year. These are two reserved invitations. Might the two of you be interested?"

"Oh?"

Chen Qiu took the list of auction items. He had only intended to give it a casual glance, but his gaze was quickly drawn to an entry.

Entry Name: Self-Severing Root

Entry Grade: Green

Entry Effect: Sever one's own root to obtain one random white or green entry. The more severed, the more random entries obtained.

"Your auction actually has entries for sale?"

"Of course."

The shopkeeper's face was full of pride. "After all, this is the annual auction of Heaven-Question Market. Quite a few of the lots are provided by our Zhao Clan Merchant Association, and this entry belongs to us as well. Our Zhao Clan Merchant Association has shops throughout the entire Great Xia Kingdom."

Chen Qiu turned his head with an odd expression and looked at Fat Dragon beside him.

"Brother Qiu."

Fat Dragon said expressionlessly, one word at a time, "There are outsiders here. Leave me some face. If there's something to say, let's discuss it privately."

The shopkeeper, who had been about to continue his introduction, suddenly let his eyes cloud over. He turned and walked toward a nearby display cabinet, muttering, "Why is there dust here? It hasn't been cleaned. I'll go wipe it."

After the shopkeeper left.

Only then did Fat Dragon turn to Chen Qiu with a solemn expression. "Brother Qiu, you once said I was your benefactor. I feel that this sort of behavior does not quite count as repaying a drop of kindness with a gushing spring. What do you think?"

"Don't overthink it."

Chen Qiu gave a light cough before lowering his voice. "I know. I just thought you might want it. Since you don't, then forget it."

"But are you really not going to consider it? That's nine random entries."

"Ordinary people don't have your kind of opportunity."

"How about we buy it first? If you ever want to use it later, we can use it then?"

P.S. Anyone reading at midnight tonight is, barring surprises, probably single. Maybe you're lying in bed right now, phone plugged into the charger, lights off, ready to sleep.

My heart aches for you.

I'm sending 200 red packets of 0.52, so you can have your own 520 too. Search Alipay password red packets for "Brother Xin's 520."

Those plowing the fields, please stay safe. You've worked hard.

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