Chapter 6
"Nine strands of Firefly Grass exchanged for a total of twenty-nine lower-grade spirit stones and seventy fragmented ones. Adding the six spirit stones and eighty-two fragmented ones in my possession, I now have a total of thirty-six lower-grade spirit stones and fifty-two fragmented ones."
"It's a pity that the black budworm larvae wreaked havoc; otherwise, my fortune would be even more substantial."
Thinking about the six spirit stones and fifty fragmented ones he spent on that black fine thread, Lu Xuan couldn't help but grit his teeth in frustration.
Money emboldens people. With such a sizable amount of spirit stones, his posture straightened considerably.
Leaving the Hundred Herbs Hall. Lu Xuan couldn't shake off his concerns about the relatively weak defensive strength of the spiritual field, which was better than nothing. He hurriedly made his way to the next destination.
The market boasted various shops, many specializing in or having supplementary sales of spirit seeds.
He navigated his way to a familiar shop.
A mid-level Qi Cultivator, an ordinary middle-aged cultivator, was tending to the spirit plant saplings displayed in the shop. Upon Lu Xuan's arrival, he stood up to greet him.
"Young man, is there something I can assist you with?"
The shopkeeper asked.
"I'll just take a look around."
Lu Xuan replied, scanning the entire shop.
The shop displayed numerous types of spirit seeds, most of which Lu Xuan didn't recognize. In a corner were several spirit plant saplings, exhibiting diverse appearances, further unfamiliar to Lu Xuan.
When these spirit plants matured, if left to grow, there was a chance they'd yield spirit seeds. However, most of these seeds weren't suitable for nurturing new spirit plants.
The majority of spirit seeds required special means to condense, and some condensation methods were only mastered by major sects.
Especially for those rare and high-grade varieties, their condensation methods were entirely withheld from the outside world.
Even the condensation of ordinary-grade spirit seeds wasn't something an average freelance cultivator could grasp. Perhaps behind this shop stood a significant cultivator or a powerful family.
"How much for a seed of Firefly Grass?"
Lu Xuan pointed at the Firefly Grass seeds displayed on the shelf, resembling dried tea leaves, and asked the middle-aged cultivator.
"Forty fragmented ones for one seed. If you buy more than ten at once, it's fifty fragmented ones for retail."
"I need twenty seeds."
"Deal!" The middle-aged cultivator shook his head, smiling wryly.
He handed twenty Firefly Grass seeds to Lu Xuan, helped pack the Crimson Cloud Pine sapling into a cloth bag, and advised Lu Xuan to plant it soon, as delaying might affect the sapling's vitality.
Lu Xuan agreed readily, regretfully taking out twelve spirit stones and fifty fragmented ones, completing the transaction.
In the market, Lu Xuan argued fervently with a freelance cultivator.
"Friend, this protective formation is second-hand, still stained with blood. It's an ill omen, signifying unknown danger. Twenty spirit stones are already a high price!"
The freelance cultivator appeared helpless.
"Brother, if this formation were brand new, I'd ask for at least double the price. As for the bloodstains, they won't affect its protective abilities. Dropping from twenty-five spirit stones to twenty at once, is that fair in pricing?"
"The formation itself isn't the issue; it's the uncertain origins that worry me. Moreover, I have no idea how long it's been in use. I'm afraid it might malfunction."
Lu Xuan portrayed a keen interest coupled with significant concern about making the purchase.
"How about this? Twenty-one spirit stones. If there's any issue with the formation, you can find me in the market. I've been running this stall here for over ten years; my reputation still holds."
"Alright, consider us friends."
Lu Xuan decided and handed over twenty-one lower-grade spirit stones.
"Please, let's keep it strictly business with the spirit stones."
The freelance cultivator quickly declined. Lu Xuan had bargained with him for nearly half an hour to reduce a few spirit stones. If they truly became friends, who knew how many more spirit stones he'd need to compensate?
Lu Xuan received the formation plate, stained with faint red spots, and carefully tucked it away. He paid no mind
to the stains; after all, no ghostly threat could match the fear of poverty.
Once avoiding roadside shops to evade bargaining, Lu Xuan had cultivated deadly skills in negotiating spirit stones, all in the pursuit of saving even a tiny amount.
"The spirit stones from the nine Firefly Grass strands are all gone, and I've used up my savings."
"However, the gains are substantial: twenty Firefly Grass seeds and a Crimson Cloud Pine sapling."
"Most importantly, the protective formation I've been longing for is finally in my hands."
Lu Xuan pinched his shrunken chest, pondering inwardly.
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