Chapter 4: Giving Thanks

Li Guanxuan wandered around the mobile stalls of East Street Market for half an hour, managing to sell only two mid-grade tier-one protective talismans and two low-grade tier-one rejuvenation pills. He gained seventeen low-grade spirit stones, a stone less than the market price. He still had twenty-one protective talismans and four rejuvenation pills left, but he could no longer sell them at the stalls.

Guanxuan sensed that when he brought out the mid-grade protective talismans, many cultivators' gazes lingered on him. If he continued to sell the rest at the stalls, he might really attract rogue cultivators who would rob him.

He sighed quietly to himself; it seemed he would have to visit a proper shop for safety, despite the loss. This world really makes it hard for itinerant cultivators to survive.

In the end, Guanxuan arrived at a grandly decorated shop, its surroundings shrouded in a faint white mist, with flashes of colored glass occasionally visible—protected by an array. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would struggle to break through quickly.

The sign read—“Myriad Phenomena Pavilion.”

Guanxuan knew of this place: it was a super emporium in the cultivation world, stocked with anything one might need.

He stepped inside to be greeted by opulent décor, every corner radiating wealth.

A young attendant spotted him and approached with a warm smile, bowing slightly and saying, “Sir, is there anything I can assist you with?”

“I wish to sell something,” Guanxuan stated.

The attendant nodded, gesturing politely, “Please follow me.”

Soon, Guanxuan was led to a pitch-black private chamber. As candles were lit, an elder dressed as a merchant appeared behind the counter and asked with a smile, “What does the gentleman wish to sell?”

As the attendant withdrew sensibly, Guanxuan faced the elder's avatar and replied, “Twenty-one mid-grade tier-one protective talismans and four low-grade tier-one rejuvenation pills.”

Transactions at the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion required each deal to be worth at least a hundred spirit stones. Of course, the Pavilion would never disclose a seller’s information.

The shopkeeper said bluntly, “Six low-grade spirit stones per talisman; the rejuvenation pills at market price. Altogether, one hundred thirty low-grade spirit stones.”

He would lose over forty stones—Guanxuan grumbled inwardly, but there was no helping it. Compared to these dozens of stones, safety mattered more.

After the deal, Guanxuan purchased a hundred tier-one talisman papers, ten bottles of spirit blood cinnabar, a thousand catties of spirit rice, and some spiritual vegetables and meats—totaling ninety low-grade spirit stones.

The shopkeeper burned the receipt, smiled at Guanxuan, and asked, “Are you a mid-grade tier-one talisman master?”

Guanxuan nodded.

The shopkeeper continued, “Judging by the quality of these talismans, about eight are rather rough and obscure; the rest grow more skillful, showing you’ve just entered the mid-grade tier-one realm. Would you be interested in purchasing methods for making ice or fire talismans? They’re not expensive—ten low-grade spirit stones for both. If you craft mid-grade tier-one talismans, you could sell them for seven or eight stones apiece.”

“Certainly,” Guanxuan agreed. He only knew how to draw protective talismans; learning two more types would not only increase his earnings but also grant him two additional means to save himself.

The shopkeeper smiled, “The Spirit Burst Talisman is another powerful type—its crafting method costs only ten low-grade spirit stones.”

Guanxuan: “…”

The branch shopkeeper of Myriad Phenomena Pavilion was indeed skilled at sales.

Guanxuan said, “A friend of mine is seeking dual cultivation techniques. Do you have any recommendations?”

The shopkeeper glanced at Guanxuan’s posture, subtly supporting his waist, paused for a moment, and asked, “Is your friend’s body condition similar to yours? If so, I recommend ‘Yin-Yang Foundation Establishment Life Technique.’ It’s not expensive—three thousand spirit stones. With that, one can touch the threshold of Foundation Establishment, a sure investment.”

Guanxuan replied with an awkward laugh, “My friend doesn’t have that many spirit stones.”

The shopkeeper nodded in understanding, then smiled, “The cheapest secret dual cultivation method is still five hundred spirit stones…”

“Never mind, I’ll speak to my friend.”

“Understood, understood…”

“By the way, what’s the price for tier-one mid-grade Qi Gathering Pills?”

“Fifteen low-grade spirit stones each.”

“I’ll take two… and some items to replenish qi and blood, a little of each.”

“….”

After leaving the Pavilion, Guanxuan dared not linger in East Street Market for a moment, blending into the crowd and departing directly.

Along the way, he remained vigilant, genuinely worried that Qing’an City might erupt into Foundation Establishment-level conflict, dragging him into the chaos.

Given the city’s instability, it was best not to stay longer than necessary.

Near home, Guanxuan finally relaxed a little.

Wen Rongxin had been waiting in the courtyard, occasionally rising onto her toes to check if her husband was returning.

When she spotted Guanxuan’s figure, she hurried to the gate to welcome him home.

Guanxuan wrapped his arm around Wen Rongxin’s slender waist as they entered, smiling, “I bought quite a lot this trip. For at least the next year or so, we won’t need to go out.”

“Mmm…” Wen Rongxin nestled against Guanxuan, her cheeks flushed.

Seeing him bring out so much food imbued with spiritual energy, Wen Rongxin couldn’t help but gape in disbelief, “That’s… that’s too much… it’ll spoil.”

“You silly girl, look at this—how could it possibly spoil?” Guanxuan flicked her smooth forehead and showed her the storage pouch.

With the pouch, there was no need to worry about food going bad.

Wen Rongxin rubbed her forehead, tears glistening in her almond eyes from the pain, but her face lit up with joy. She whispered, “It must have been expensive.”

“You go cook, I’ll invite Chen Yinshan and his wife over for dinner.”

Guanxuan smiled and left at once.

Wen Rongxin sighed quietly; a storage pouch cost at least ten low-grade spirit stones. But she couldn’t say much—her husband made the decisions at home.

When Chen Yinshan and his wife arrived, Zhao Guili went to help in the kitchen, leaving the two men in the hall to chat.

“Having a wife really changes things—your home is so much cleaner and tidier now,” Chen Yinshan laughed, sipping tea.

Guanxuan took out six low-grade spirit stones and handed them to Chen Yinshan, saying, “These are for the talisman papers; keep them.”

Cultivators living in the shantytown were never flush with cash.

Previously, when Guanxuan couldn’t go out to buy talisman papers and cinnabar, it was Chen Yinshan who ran the errand and covered the four spirit stones upfront.

“This is more than enough.”

“My talisman skills have improved lately. If I run out of paper again, I’ll trouble you.”

“All right, then I’ll accept.”

Chen Yinshan raised his teacup and laughed, “I’ll toast your immortal fortune with tea. When you become a tier-two talisman master, don’t forget to look after me.”

“We’re neighbors; we should help each other.”

Guanxuan lifted his cup, and they both drank.

Soon, dinner was ready.

At the table, Zhao Guili smiled, “Rongxin, I was once a mortal martial artist before becoming a cultivator. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just come to me.”

“Thank you, thank you so much,” Wen Rongxin replied gratefully.

Whether martial artist or cultivator, having someone to guide you is always better than fumbling alone.