Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!-Chapter 661 - 652: Bargaining

With a wistful sigh, Qu Luming reluctantly turned to Jiang Yuan, "Daoist, how about a friendly price?"

Jiang Yuan shrugged with a smile, "But as an Alchemist, what I most want to trade are herbs. This matter still requires discussion with City Lord Yuan.

I heard that the underground caves are rich in rare Spirit Medicines, hard to find in the outside world. I was already considering forming connections to acquire necessary herbs, and today, having met City Lord Yuan…"

Their gazes finally rested on her.

Yuan Man raised her eyebrows slightly, "Trading with Spirit Medicines? I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Daoist. It is true that my city's underground caves are abundant in precious Spirit Medicines, but those herbs have more important uses. Moreover, this little demon said he'd pay for it himself, whether you need Spirit Stones or Magical Treasures, just say the word."

The attention shifted to Qu Luming, who had no choice but to present his Storage Bag. A clattering pile of sparkling Treasures spilled onto the table, myriad Magical Treasures bewildering to the eye, yet Jiang Yuan's glance swept over them, all labeled with "Ghost Cultivator Use Only."

The members of the small courtyard in need of nurturing were not Ghost Cultivators!

While the partner from Yin Mountain, Tang Qin, and the disciple's grandfather, Old Master Wan, were Ghost Cultivators, they had no use for such high-end items. More importantly, it felt like a loss to trade Longevity Pills or Nine Netherworld Peaches for Treasures of little utility.

"These are all for little ghosts, Daoist Jiang probably doesn't need them." Yuan Man waved her hand upon seeing this, "Didn't Du Li give you some prized Treasures? Get them out quickly!" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Qu Luming: …

What box of treasures! I'm just an unspecial part! Heavens, my main body surely has other cherished fragments; otherwise, how could nothing important be told to me? Not even given any treasured gadgets!

"Seniors and Daoist friends, excuse me, I actually came to Wo Hu Temple Market on a mission and didn't carry much…" Facing the pressure of the Tribulation Crossing Realm powerhouse, he sighed embarrassedly, "Daoist, what would you like to exchange for?"

Before Jiang Yuan could answer, Yuan Man casually said, "The treasure in your eyes seems quite good, take it out and let Daoist Jiang have a look if it's to his liking."

Qu Luming's expression changed instantly upon hearing this, "That's impossible! Impossible! Senior, this item is called the Profound Light Instrument, a Magical Treasure distributed to me by Fengdu in the Netherworld. I only have the right to use it, not to dispose of it.

Besides, this item… needs to be combined with a special Cultivation Technique to use, it can explore the origins of Cultivators once activated, which should be useless for Daoist Jiang."

He cautiously looked at Jiang Yuan, worried that he might actually want it. If the Profound Light Instrument was lost from his hands, the great Leopard Tail couldn't mingle in Fengdu City anymore!

Jiang Yuan looked at the Profound Light Instrument in the opponent's eyes, and the system popped up details akin to a low-version identification system. With his ability to always see identification details, it truly was of no use.

"I have no need to spy on others' origins, this item indeed has no use." He shook his head, not wanting the half-step Divine Artifact crucial to Qu Luming.

Hearing this, the other party immediately sighed in relief.

"So, how about we trade for the Ghost Immortal Scripture?" Jiang Yuan looked around and found, besides a Clear Dew Pill of some interest, only the yet-to-be-learned complete version of a Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique seemed valuable.

Qu Luming, who had just let out a sigh, quickly became tense again, his voice raising several pitches, "That won't do! The Ghost Immortal Scripture is a genuine Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique, its worth cannot be described merely by its value, and you want to use so little in exchange?"

"Heavenly Level Cultivation Techniques are indeed exceedingly precious, the Longevity Pill and Nine Netherworld Peach together only slightly exceed two hundred years of Lifespan, the gap is too large." Yuan Man also shook her head, indicating it was not worthwhile.

Although she urgently needed Longevity Pills, she couldn't truly let the other party suffer such a huge loss for merely a hundred years or so.

For a cultivator in the Tribulation Crossing Realm, going into seclusion for hundreds of years is but a flick of a finger away, she really couldn't value it highly.

The negotiation temporarily fell into a deadlock.

Jiang Yuan hadn't inherited his mother's knack for bargaining, at most asking, "Can it be cheaper?" Once the reply was "No," he was stumped.

Yet now the tug-of-war concerned the price his "goods" would fetch, naturally, he couldn't be timid.

Seeing there wasn't anything more intriguing on Qu Luming, he set aside the Clear Dew Pill momentarily and turned to Yuan Man, sincerely saying, "Although the Ghost Immortal Scripture is a Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique, I am not a Ghost Cultivator, so it holds less value for me. It's merely to find a proper path for some friends I have good relations with.

Since both of you feel trading for techniques is too much of a loss, shall we continue discussing herbs? The underground caves of such scale, some guards must often sneak out Spirit Medicines, surely City Lord Yuan can spare some, right?"

With the focus returning to her, Yuan Man couldn't help but laugh and sigh, "To be honest, when I was just a Little Demon Cultivator, there was no city on the Cloud Prairie. Only the rampant Mist Cloud, threatening the security of lives at any moment, my parents and family were taken by the cloud without a trace.

Back then, I swore to build a city that could withstand the Mist Cloud, to protect all life on the prairie!

But for a Little Demon Cultivator who couldn't ensure their own safety, it was easier said than done. I went through numerous hardships, thankfully getting enthusiastic assistance from an exceptionally talented Daoist friend, which led to today's Cloud City.

We were tracking down the origins of the Mist Cloud and discovered a Secret Realm in the cloud. Thanks to that Daoist's full support, we eventually claimed the Secret Realm, moving it underground at Cloud Prairie, forming the prototype of the underground caves.

Daoist companion not only assisted me in establishing the city but also used various exquisite arrays to transform the underground caves into a sanctuary where Spirit Medicines could be produced continuously. However, he had grander ambitions and asked me if the entire city could assist him in fulfilling a vow before leaving Cloud City.

At that time, all the beings on the prairie were protected by the city and no longer feared for their safety even in their sleep. My vow was fulfilled perfectly, all thanks to his generous help, and at times he had saved me from danger; what reason did I have not to help him?"

Recalling the past, Yuan Man's face showed a meaningful expression and sighed lightly, "He needed the continuously produced herbs from the underground caves, which was both a promise and a duty. Later, I learned that the grand vow of that Daoist companion was closely related to whether the Wilderness World could remain safe.

In other words, when the Wilderness World lost control and started to fall at night but did not collapse, the contribution of the underground caves accounted for about thirty to forty percent.

However, I suffered severe injuries and could only rest for a long time, recently discovering that the finished Spirit Medicine transported from the caves was becoming scarcer. I urgently needed Miss Hu Jiu's help to investigate a traitor, thinking that there might be an insider deliberately destroying good materials to line their own pockets!

The supply had already decreased, and if I were to share some with you, I fear... it won't be long before the whole world suffers."

Jiang Yuan: ???

The consequences are so serious?

"Maintaining the Wilderness World is not the responsibility of one person or one city. Senior Yuan silently bears such a heavy burden moving forward, junior is in admiration." Qu Luming made a formal salute, "I will contact Du Li, the Demon Realm Alliance should be responsible for such a duty!"

Yuan Man rolled her eyes, "Do you think he doesn't know? He knows better than anyone! Otherwise…"

She did not finish the sentence, turning her head away in anger.

Qu Luming was momentarily stunned and then realized, knowing that the main body realized Senior Yuan's city bore such a burden, yet plotted during the Thunder Tribulation to seize destiny and Life Origin, intending to replace them!

The Heavenly Dao rewards diligence; though the Heavenly Dao is flawed now, laws still operate silently.

Being able to take on the responsibility of saving a world, the profound and mysterious rewards must be abundant.

He suddenly thought of those Demon Cultivators and Ghost Cultivators in the Human World who pretend to be gods to gain achievements through the Power of Faith, aren't all of them hoping to achieve success in the future?

If Senior Yuan hadn't been successfully plotted by the main body and ascended, with the powerful strength to maintain the operation of the underground caves and safeguard the safety of the whole world, the merits would be immense, and there would be a great possibility of ascension to immortality in the future!

Even if unable to ascend, taking on the role of "Savior" and diligently protecting world peace would be more than enough for a title as Earth Immortal!

"Hiss!" Thinking of this, Qu Luming couldn't help but take a deep breath — no wonder the main body has been hiding and even secluded for a long time, failing in the forceful usurpation means he is bound to be in trouble.

No wonder Senior Yuan is so broad-minded and generous, having pursued a path beyond the self, naturally, such grievances would not trouble a mere avatar.

Jiang Yuan didn't quite understand their "riddle talk" at the end, but Yuan Man clearly stated that the production of Spirit Medicines from the underground caves had already decreased, and she was anxious to go back to catch the traitor, so how could there be enough Spirit Medicine to supply him?

"Daoist Qu, do you have enough materials for trade?" He thought to himself, your main body is at least the Vice Alliance Hierarch of the Demon Realm Alliance; it shouldn't be lacking even a bit of medicinal material, right?

Qu Luming frowned and didn't answer.

He was contemplating the more important issue for himself: the main body's failed calculation had already made him a villain attacking the world's guardian. With compromised virtue, the Heavenly Dao is unlikely to easily let him go, hence why the main body has lingered away from Thunder Tribulations for so many years, afraid that at a point when there's truly no solution, he would be shattered to pieces by Thunder Tribulation!

Damn it, when the time comes, wouldn't I get implicated and instantly vanish into smoke? All these years of hard work ruined in an instant, not even having a chance to start over, how terribly unjust!

"I really don't have any now." Qu Luming thought, even if the main body had it, he might not be willing to give it since he's busy hiding from Thunder Tribulations, would he be willing to let me use a large amount of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures?

No, I cannot sit and wait for death; I must find a way to save myself!

[Triggering Side Quest: Avatar]

[Mist Cloud Month Porcupine Demon, Void Refinement Realm (Advanced Monster) Demon Cultivator, Demon Realm Alliance Vice Alliance Hierarch Du Li, coveted the unparalleled something the original Daughter of Fortune earned, wanted to plot a seizure to replace, yet the plan failed, not only failing to steal the merit but also severely damaging his virtue, Qu Luming, as an avatar, has realized the crisis. Please complete the mission to help the avatar survive the mortal disaster and obtain rich rewards]

[Mission 1: Trade with him to inquire about the specific use of Life Origin. Reward: Life Origin +10]

Qu Luming clarified the intricacies, as a strong desire to survive arose, a string of task information floated past Jiang Yuan's sight.

Jiang Yuan: ...

Just finished two side quests, and immediately got new ones, the system truly fears I might idle!