I wandered through the market with Jiě jie, lantern lights hanging above from building to building. The streets were filled with people, cultivators and mortals alike, as they walked to different stalls scattered around. It was noisy, and bright. But also filled with potential enemies. I moved my gaze to Jiě jie, connecting to her spiritual sea.
Jiě jie, let's finish exploring quickly. I don't like it here.
Weren't you the one so eager to go out? What's wrong now?
I rolled my eyes, hearing the laugh in her voice as she responded. Then she put a hand on my shoulder as she reassured me.
Bare it for now, we won't stay long, I just need to scout out the area.
After hearing her words, I nodded, moving my gaze back to the market. I held out a hand, lightly gripping her sleeve.
Let's go.
I withdrew my demonic energy from her spiritual sea, looking ahead. She nodded, moving my hand to hers as she walked by me through the market. I activated a disguise talisman, taking off my mask. Then Jiě jie suddenly asked.
Why are you doing that?
Just in case that brat is here.
He who fears he will suffer, already suffers what he fears. I doubt that prodigy will be here. If anything, he's most likely training to defeat you. Geniuses like him don't like being beaten.
I rolled my eyes.
Let's just go already.
Alright, alright.
She shrugged, taking off her mask as she activated a disguise talisman. I raised my brow.
What are you doing?
Just in case.
Never mind.
We walked through the marketplace, letting my demonic qi scan the area for spiritual artifacts in hiding. Most of them being sold by outer disciples of Boshài sect, selling them at an extortionate price.
Too expensive, and a scam.
Most righteous sects usually sell their spiritual items at exorbitant prices to make a profit. It's best to scam others who don't know what they're actually selling than buying from people who know and extort you. As always before and now, scamming is the way to live a wealthy life.
I stopped at a small stall squeezed between two larger ones. It was run by an old man in the early stages of body refining, selling random items, from old vases and junk to a single low mortal grade cultivation technique. I eyed a worn jade pendant with other old jewelry. I could feel the faint spiritual energy coursing through the jade, the carvings worn away from time, and covered in dirt that hadn't been cleaned off. Focusing on the pendant, I searched it for anything of value. After a few moments, I sensed a few wood laws embedded into the jade.
A wood attribute. Very rare. I or Jiě jie don't have any use for it, but if I restore it, then I can auction it off for a high price. Everyone knows that rich people always spend more money than necessary on items that aren't helpful to them. Especially the young masters who want to show off.
I internally rubbed my hands together as I let go of Jiě jie's hand, walking towards the stall, my eyes stuck on the first treasure for the day. I reached out for the jade pendant, opening my mouth to speak.
"Hey-"
"Excuse me."
I paused, turning next to me to see a tall young man standing there, wearing a blue robe with dark brown hair tied with a blue ribbon. The first thing I noticed was his hazel eyes, bright like one of the lanterns that lit the streets, very pretty. Usually, I would've liked to see something that pretty, but right now, I'm anything but happy.
That damn brat. Why is he here?!
The brat stared at me for a moment before his eyes widened, turning into a glare.
Yup, he recognizes me.
He glanced at the old man running the stall, then at me. He cleared his throat, his glare disappearing as he turned to the old man.
"Excuse me, how much for this jade pendant?"
I internally gasped.
My spirit stones!!!
I glared at him, killing intent bubbling up as I tried to suppress my surging demonic energy. I can't kill him now. I'd use too much energy killing all of the witnesses.
The old man stared at the brat, a flash of recognition in his gaze as he smiled at him.
"Immortal Wang Aiyu, this pendant was found in the ruins of the He family. It's very valuable, but since Immortal wants to buy, this old man will lower the price to twenty mid-grade spirit stones."
I gasped internally again. So expensive! My killing intent vanishing immediately as I mentally counted the spirit stones in my storage bag. It was ten low-grade spirit stones. I had spent most of my funds on the spatial ring for Jiě jie, and she covered our meal expenses the last time. If we combine our spirit stones together, we could be able to afford the pendant. Didn't the old man say that he'd lowered the price? What was the original price? Of course, I'm sure I can bargain it down, but still.
The brat didn't even blink and placed a heavy-looking pouch of spirit stones, a smile that was definitely directed at me.
Damn rich people.
I pulled my hand away, blankly looking at the jade pendant. Throwing a glare at the old man and that brat before slowly walking away.
You win this round for now, but when I kill you, I will take all of your wealth and use it to live a comfortable life with Jiě jie.
The old man took the spirit stones with the greedy face that all humans have. That brat took the jade pendant, shooting an arrogant glance at me. My brow twitched, glaring at him before walking back to Jiě jie's side.
She looked at me, confused. Then she looked at that brat, a brow raised.
"Is that him?"
I frowned, "Didn't you go after him?"
"I did, but I didn't put his face to memory," she shrugged, her eyes wandering elsewhere.
I let out an exasperated sigh, "Never mind, let's go somewhere else. I can sense a few spiritual signatures nearby."
I turned away, starting to walk to the closest trace of spiritual energy I could detect. Jiě jie followed after me, still observing the surroundings, probably forming a mental map in her mind.
I kept walking, following my instincts to the spiritual trail as I scanned the area for more similar traces. Suddenly, I sense another spiritual presence, this time, it was from a human. I focused on it, and I was instantly annoyed.
Seriously?
You already stole my spirit stones, what are you following me for?!
I retracted my spiritual sense from him, quickening my pace. I've already lost too many spirit stones to you; I am not going to lose more!
Jiě jie matched my pace. She must've also noticed him.
I furrowed my brows. From what I know, he can see through concealment artifacts, and seems to have a strong spiritual sense. Usually, you don't know if someone's a demonic cultivator unless they tell you or use their spiritual energy. If he can tell that I'm a demonic cultivator without me attacking him, then his spiritual sense must be stronger than his cultivation level. Or he may have seen through the disguise talisman with an artifact. I'm starting to regret not looking into him earlier.
I slouched slightly, giving up on trying to lose him.
If he can sense my spiritual trace, he probably won't leave me alone.
I sighed for the third time tonight. It seems I won't be able to make any money today. Curse my luck.
Walking through the market for another few minutes, now retracting my demonic energy, letting Jiě jie drag me around the market. I listlessly followed along, already seeing the spirit stones in my storage bag turn into dust.
Just as I was standing by as Jiě jie bought two meat skewers at a food stall. The two skewers were a stupidly expensive five low-grade spirit stones. My heart started to ache as Jiě jie handed the spirit stones over with a smile.
Jiě jie, there's no need to act, I know how much this hurts you. You're more money-grubbing than me, you must be heartbroken!
I sent a glare at the bastard watching us from a few feet away.
You.
After all the trouble you've given me, killing you isn't enough. I'll torture you until you beg for death and then toss you to that snake to turn you into a corpse puppet. Then I'll use you to kill your fellow disciples and destroy your sect.
Just as I was thinking of more ways to torture him, I sensed a faint trace of spiritual energy. I slightly turned in its direction, not making any sudden movements to not alert the brat watching.
It was faint, but different from most traces I've encountered, yet familiar. Like the time I found that spatial ring for Jiě jie. I felt my chest lightening, a pile a spirit stones appearing in my mind.
Sell, sell, sell, sell!
The word echoed in my head as I walked in the direction of the trace, Jiě jie now returning with two skewers in her hands, confused at what I was doing. She followed me, quickly catching up to me. But then, my face darkened, he was also following us.
I should've expected this, but this item is worth too much to pass up. I won't let you have it!
I quickened my pace, seeing a small stall run by a young man at the qi refining stage. I stopped in front of the stall, sensing that brat getting closer to this area. I need to bargain quickly.
I turned to the young man, instantly identifying the item as a small wooden sword, old, the wood rotten beyond recognition. I took the sword, asking him the price.
The vendor looked at me, then at my clothes, and then at the sword in my hand. He narrowed his eyes, waving his hand.
"Just ten low-grade spirit stones."
I felt a piercing pain in my chest.
en. Ten spirit stones?! You might as well rob me in broad daylight! That's all the spirit stones I have.
I frowned, clearing my throat.
"Fellow Daoist, the wood that this sword is made of is already rotten and can no longer be used as a sword. It should be worth three spirit stones at most," I bargained, a silent killing intent leaking from my body.
The young cultivator flinched, glaring at me.
"Fellow Daoist, I'm aware that the wooden sword can no longer be used, but I will inform you that this sword is made of spirit jade wood, which is very valuable. If I sell this sword to you at three spirit stones, I'll be selling at a loss," the young man explained before saying, "At the least, I can sell this at eight spirit stones."
I frowned deeper, glaring at the cultivator in front of me as my killing intent grew sharper.
"Three spirit stones."
"Seven spirit stones."
"Four spirit stones."
"Six spirit stones, I can't go any lower, or I can't make a profit," the young cultivator shot back.
Just as I was about to name another price, I sensed the brat walking this way as I groaned. Gripping the wooden sword, I opened my storage bag and placed six spirit stones on the stall table. The young cultivator quickly took the spirit stones, and I stashed the sword into my storage bag. I looked back, finding that brat in the crowd, glaring at me. I threw a smile at him, walking away with Jiě jie as satisfaction washed over me.
But then, a pain shot through my chest.
My spirit stones.
No, when I sell this sword, I'll be able to earn more and make up my losses.
As I was comforting myself, Jiě jie handed a meat skewer to me. I took the skewer, observing it before taking a bite. Tender meat melted in my mouth, savory with a slight sweetness in the sauce.
Delicious.
I lit up a bit, the loss of my spirit stones being thrown to the back of my mind. I continued eating, finishing the skewer in a few bites. As I gulped down the meat, staring at the bare stick in my hand. I circulated my demonic qi, creating a yin flame that burned the stick into ash. I dusted off my hands, monitoring the brat who's still following us. My brow twitched again, now scanning the area for spiritual traces.
I found a few, though there wasn't anything that special about them, they should be pretty valuable.
After a few more minutes of walking, I took a sharp left turn, taking Jiě jie with me to the nearest trace. I locked onto a middle-aged woman selling small antiques on a mat, staring at a small white jade bottle next to a group of vases. I stopped in front of the woman, asking for the price of the jade bottle.
"Ah, yes, immortal. This jade bottle is an old gift from an immortal after my great-grandfather assisted them while they were injured; it is of high value. Because of its significance, it is hard for me to part with it. But I will be able to sell it at fifty spirit stones."
As she was speaking, I glanced back a few times, scanning with my demonic qi for the brat. That was until I heard the price.
Fifty spirit stones?!!
I looked to Jiě jie with little hope as I connected to her spiritual consciousness.
Jiě jie.
No.
Understandable.
I turned back to the jade bottle, then at the woman selling it, and got ready to bargain. Until.
"Excuse me Miss."
This little...
Sure enough, this rich bastard had caught up with us. He looked extremely smug, not even looking at the woman he was buying from, but at me.
Can I kill him now? I can just kill the witnesses. It will take most of my energy reserves, but it'll be worth it.
He turned to the woman running the stall, an annoying smile on his face.
"It seems that this Fellow Daoist can't pay for this jade bottle," He took a glance at me, then at the jade bottle.
"But, due to its significance for you, I'll be more than willing to buy this jade bottle at double the price."
I had to stop my mouth from gaping.
A hundred spirit stones. That's the equivalent of one mid-grade spirit stone, which is the equivalent of my yearly pay from the sect. If I don't actively make money within the year and rely on the stipend, including food and rent, I'd need to save up at least five years to gain even fifty spirit stones. All of my savings were already spent, I doubt I'll even be able to afford rice with how stupidly expensive everything is here.
Who knows, maybe one jin of rice is thirty spirit stones.
Suddenly, another voice called out, and the brat instantly froze up as his face went pale. I turned to the source of the voice, sensing a cultivator in the late qi refining stage coming this way. I glanced at the bastard, a brow raised.
Aren't you at the mid-foundation establishment stage? Why are you scared of a qi refining cultivator?
I turned my gaze back to the incoming cultivator, to see a man around my age, wearing a dark blue robe, his hair tied up with a silver clasp. The young man had a smile on his face, but gave off something unsettling, like the smiles the old letcher always gives Jiě jie whenever they meet. Seemingly genuine, but untrustworthy in reality.
The cultivator stared at the brat, and I also stared at his pale face, fear very obvious in his expression. Suddenly, I felt a small pang of pity for the bastard. But then I easily swept that away. Why should I feel sorry for his fate? He stole my spirit stones, and I was going to kill him anyway. If he dies earlier, then that's less work for me.
The brat, his eyes away from the young man, as he turned towards him. He saw me and Jiě jie next to the brat, and I took a few steps back from him.
Carry on, I don't know him.
The cultivator nodded at me slightly before turning back to the brat.
"Senior brother Aiyu, may this junior ask why you're in the market and not helping the juniors set up for the mid autumn festival?"
I raised a brow. So he's running away from responsibility? Typical for people like him.
The brat didn't respond for a moment before answering in a shaky voice.
"Junior brother, I-I was just looking for more supplies. We ran out of lanterns, so I thought, that I'd get some in the marketplace."
Uh huh, sure you were.
The cultivator that was apparently this brat's junior brother raised a brow, that unsettling smile still on his face.
"Oh really?" he said, taking a step closer, "Then why are you buying a jade bottle from this woman? You said it yourself, you were going to buy lanterns and return to the sect? Were you perhaps, delaying your return?"
More beads of sweat started to run down the brat's back, his eyes looking around for another excuse probably, until his eyes landed on me and Jiě jie. He didn't say anything, but I knew what he was trying to do. I stared back at him, not planning to do anything.
What? Were you expecting sympathy? After stealing my spirit stones, do you think I'll help you get out of a hole you dug? Not in a thousand years.
His hopeful look turned blank as he realized I wasn't going to help him. But then, he looked to the Jiě jie, that hope coming back. Jiě jie looked at me and shook my head. She nodded, stepping away from him. Seeing that there was no hope, he turned back to his junior brother, looking kinda empty inside.
Good.
But it seems the bastard wasn't giving up as he tried to run, but the junior brother grabbed him before he could get too far. The brat struggled in his grip, but wasn't able to escape as he was dragged away.
So that junior brother of his must be a body cultivator. No wonder that brat's terrified. When mortals enter the peak stage of the body refining realm, they can take two paths.
Most take the path of cultivation and immortality, but some become body cultivators, people who cultivate their bodies beyond mortal limits through external means. It's an extremely expensive path, due to the medicines and materials you need to cultivate. And just because you cultivate your body only, doesn't mean you're weaker than cultivators. Cultivators usually take a long time to cultivate and grow stronger, but body cultivation is much quicker in gaining strength. Once you enter the early layers of the first stage, qi refining cultivators are no match for you.
I'm personally at the mid-organ-tempering realms, with my nascent soul cultivation, I can defeat at most two major realms above me.
I watched the brat and his junior brother dragging him away. But then he turned in our direction. He walked towards me, stopping at the mat where the woman was running. He put on his unsettling smile and bowed slightly to her.
"Greetings, Miss, since my Senior brother was trying to buy this jade bottle at double the price from this fellow Daoist here, he will pay for him."
The junior brother turned his head to the brat, who looked like he had been betrayed by his lover. He glared at his junior brother before hesitatingly giving a pouch of spirit stones to him. The junior brother snatched it away from him and placed it in the woman's hands, taking the jade bottle and handing it to me. After he placed a heavy-looking pouch in my hands after that.
"Take this as an apology for my Senior brother's behavior, I hope you don't spread this around," the junior brother smiled, sending a chill down my spine.
I weighed the pouch in one of my hands, peeking inside to see fifty mid-grade spirit stones inside. My eyes widened, looking at the cultivator, then at the jade bottle in my other hand. With the old spirit sword I bought earlier and the spirit stones in this pouch...
I take it back, rich people are very kind and generous to the poor.
I nodded to the kind rich, and did I say handsome, young cultivator.
"Yes, we accept your apology. I promise I won't speak of this incident to anyone."
The kind junior nodded, saying goodbye as he dragged that bastard away.
I waved goodbye, watching them walk away until I could no longer see them. Then I turned to Jiě jie with a smile. She smiled back, her's even more brighter than mine. We just earned fifty years' worth of spirit stones in one night. We looked at each other, both of us having the same thought.
Auction.
A/N
Hello, hello, everyone! Hope you liked the long chapter. I'm going on vacation with my family for a month, so I won't be able to post. Thank you for your support and I will be back once I've returned!