Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation-Chapter 164 - 130: Resource Procurement
In the private room.
Ling Changqing studied it for a moment before placing the Jade Scroll back in its box and carefully putting it into his Storage Pouch.
"…So, Fellow Daoist Ling is also a Second Rank Alchemist? Now that you've obtained this Ancient Pill Scripture, I imagine your Alchemy Mastery will advance even further."
Xue Yumei said with a smile from beside him.
Ling Changqing pretended not to notice the subtle probe in her words, simply replying with a touch of regret:
"…This item is wonderful, but it's a shame the other parts are missing. Does your organization not have any leads at all?"
Xue Yumei shook her head slightly. "To be frank, Fellow Daoist, this item's origins are rather unclear. It has been stored in our commerce association's warehouse for over a decade, so…"
"I see."
Ling Changqing's gaze sharpened. 'The High Rank Cultivators of the commerce association must have tried to track down the other parts after obtaining this Pill Scripture, but they obviously came up empty-handed.'
'After all their fruitless efforts, the association's higher-ups must have given up completely and decided to auction it off to at least recoup some Spirit Stones.'
'Although this is the original, they've surely kept a copy in their warehouse. The association's internal Pill Masters will be able to consult it anytime, so it won't truly be lost.'
Xue Yumei had no idea that Ling Changqing already possessed the Upper Volume of this Pill Scripture. In his hands, its value would be far greater than the sum of its parts.
'I should be able to advance to a Middle grade second rank Alchemist soon. And Ling Qiyue... with her foundation, breaking through to a Grade Three Low rank Alchemist shouldn't be a problem.'
Ling Changqing mused silently. This Pill Scripture was indeed far more important to him than a mere few hundred Middle grade Spirit Stones.
'Besides, I feel that with my extraordinary Luck and Fortune, there's probably a good chance I can obtain the lower volume of this Pill Scripture in the future, right?'
The trade fair continued, and one precious item after another was presented. For example, there were Upper Grade and Top Grade Spiritual Artifacts, Second Rank High Grade Daoist Soldier Puppets, and later, even various Third Rank Low Grade materials and Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Herbs occasionally appeared.
"Do you sell Middle Grade Magical Treasures or Core Formation Resources here? Or perhaps Profound level Top Grade Cultivation Method Scriptures?"
Ling Changqing couldn't help but ask.
Xue Yumei seemed slightly taken aback. She thought for a moment before replying, "Of course we have those, but they don't appear every time, and the price is not cheap!
Fellow Daoist, you probably don't have a use for them right now. But of course, should you need them in the future, you can come here, and we will certainly not disappoint you."
She wasn't sure if Ling Changqing was hiding his true cultivation or if someone behind him needed these items, so her answer was rather cautious.
"Alright, it's a deal then!"
Ling Changqing took out his Communication Jade Talisman and exchanged contact information with the Female Steward.
After a moment of thought, Ling Changqing added:
"I plan to purchase a batch of Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Herbs. I wonder if your organization has them in stock?"
'Since this Female Steward seems to be on the level and doesn't harbor any ill will toward me, I might as well take care of this here.'
Xue Yumei nodded slightly. "That's no problem, of course. Fellow Daoist, if you tell us what you wish to buy, why not make a list?"
She turned her head and instructed a Maid beside her to fetch a Jade Scroll that shimmered with golden light, which she then handed to Ling Changqing personally.
Ling Changqing unfurled the Jade Scroll and infused a bit of Magical Power into it. A vast catalog of Medicinal Herbs immediately appeared on its surface.
There was no shortage of Rank One to Third Grade Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Herbs. Key information such as specific growth years, prices, and general effects and uses were all described in detail within the Jade Scroll.
On this Jade Scroll's list, one could also find all the materials for refining a Foundation Establishment Pill, and not just for one type of Pill Formula.
However, the price for these in-demand resources was not cheap, and there were also limits on the purchase quantity. At most, one could buy two to three sets at a time, preventing anyone from recklessly clearing out their stock.
The Xingyun sun Commerce Association had similar rules. Even though Xue Qingtan was fond of Ling Changqing, she couldn't offer him too many conveniences.
Ling Changqing weighed his options. He found that all the resources he needed were available in the Jade Scroll, so he made up his mind.
"Fellow Daoist, is it not possible to purchase more? Celestial Splendor Pavilion is a massive enterprise; my small purchase quantity should be nothing to you, right?"
Ling Changqing asked.
Xue Yumei fell silent, seemingly communicating with someone via Divine Thought. After a moment, she responded:
"That may be true, but the organization's rules are the rules, and I cannot easily violate them.
How about this: if Fellow Daoist is willing to add twenty percent to the price, I can authorize you to purchase double the limited amount. Consider it a gesture of friendship!
If we have similar opportunities to cooperate in the future, I hope you won't forget this humble one!"
Ling Changqing nodded. "That's no problem. I will remember this favor, Fellow Daoist!"
Spirit Medicine resources were the fundamental guarantee for a family's rapid increase in strength. Naturally, the more, the better.
In the vast Cultivation Realm, Elixirs were one of the most important and highly demanded resources for Cultivators, just like grain was to the mortal world.
Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Herbs of Rank One and above not only had long growth cycles, but they were also quite difficult to cultivate and maintain. Coupled with the fact that large factions loved to monopolize and restrict their circulation, it wasn't something one could buy freely just by having Spirit Stones.
The Medicinal Gardens and mountains on the Changqing Continent had only been recently established. It was unthinkable that the Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Herbs inside would grow to a harvestable state for Alchemy in anything less than eighty to a hundred years.
That was why Ling Changqing wanted to buy as much as possible. Even if the price was higher, and even if he couldn't use them right away, it would be good to have them as a strategic reserve.
"Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist. Our people will gather all the Medicinal Herb resources and deliver them within fifteen minutes at most."
Xue Yumei said with a radiant smile.
'Perhaps this wealthy and generous handsome youth in purple robes isn't a Loose Cultivator at all, but someone from a mysterious orthodox faction?'
'Of course, that doesn't matter. This kind of business is routine for Celestial Splendor Pavilion. As long as there is enough profit, the customer's identity and origin are completely unimportant.'
Ling Changqing, on the other hand, was considering that finished Elixirs were much more expensive than the raw Medicinal Herbs. 'In the future, I can mass-produce various Second Grade Elixirs and sell them here.'
'I could then use the earned Spirit Stones to buy more raw Medicinal Herbs, continue with Alchemy, and repeat the cycle. I'd surely make a fortune.'
In fact, Celestial Splendor Pavilion already had many such Honored Guest Elders. Although they weren't official members of the organization, they could receive many benefits as long as they completed the tasks entrusted to them on time and in the required quantity.
Of course, this was something he could only consider after his Alchemy Mastery had improved further.
A moment later, a Steward at the Middle stage Foundation Establishment walked into the private room and presented a palm-sized, cyan-gold Storage Pouch to Xue Yumei.
Xue Yumei took the Storage Pouch, inspected it with her Divine Thought, and after confirming there were no issues, handed it to Ling Changqing.
Ling Changqing took it and, without a change in expression, had the Era Star Palace scan it. Finding no abnormalities, he then personally inspected it with his Divine Thought.
"Correct. There are no issues with the quantity or quality of the resources."
Ling Changqing said with satisfaction.
"Fellow Daoist, the total for this transaction is one thousand seven hundred Middle grade Spirit Stones, with no discount."
Xue Yumei explained gently.
"That's no problem."
Ling Changqing nodded and took the full amount of Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch, handing them to her.
After counting and confirming the amount was correct, Xue Yumei breathed a small sigh of relief. This was not a small deal for her; it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous.
The trade fair was now nearing its end. The final resources to appear were all various Third Grade Materials, Talismanic Elixirs, and Early Grade Magical Treasures.
An hour later, as the trade fair concluded, the numerous Cultivators rose and began to leave.
Ling Changqing took his leave at the appropriate time. Xue Yumei escorted him to the entrance, watching his figure disappear around a street corner.
Night had fallen. The tranquil, mysterious, and frost-cold moonlight and starlight cascaded down from the vast celestial canopy, contrasting with the brightly lit Marketplace.
Ling Changqing casually took a few detours. After confirming that no suspicious individuals were tailing him, he finally relaxed a little.
No matter how chaotic and dangerous the outside world was, at least within the confines of the Marketplace, a basic sense of order and rules was guaranteed.
A stable and safe trading place served the common interests of the higher-ups of all factions. Therefore, they would not allow unscrupulous people to cause trouble in the Marketplace.
After wandering for a while, Ling Changqing chose the largest inn in the center of the Marketplace and rented a private courtyard to stay in.
He announced to the attending Maid that he was entering secluded cultivation and was not to be disturbed for three months.
Inside the Cultivation Chamber, as the layers of the Array Restriction activated one by one, Ling Changqing sat down peacefully on the Cloud Bed and began to communicate with the Era Star Palace in his sea of consciousness:
[Alchemy Dao: 14793/30000 (Second Rank Low Grade)]
[Primary Cultivation Technique: Profound Truth Black Water Scripture (5th Floor) 2311/20000]
[Primary Cultivation Technique: Taiyin Moonlight Divine Heart Refining Scripture (1st Floor) 4860/30000]
[Body Cultivation Technique: Vajra Tula Demon Suppression Technique (2nd Floor) 3997/12000]
[Spirit Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Bottom rank Earth Grade 4975/30000]
After obtaining the Middle Volume of the Cangyuan Pill Splendor Technique, Ling Changqing's Alchemy Dao level had already risen by a fair amount. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
'As long as I continue to advance bravely, becoming a Middle grade second rank Alchemist will be just around the corner.'
The Profound Truth Black Water Scripture had already reached the Fourth Layer Great Perfection, and he had officially stepped into the 5th Floor.
However, Ling Changqing was no longer very satisfied with this Cultivation Technique. Perhaps when the opportunity arose, he absolutely had to switch to a better Primary Cultivation Technique.
The Vajra Tula Demon Suppression Technique and the Taiyin Moonlight Divine Heart Refining Scripture, as well as his Spirit Root Talent, had all increased to varying degrees.
