Eternal Life by Dual Cultivation

Chapter 419 - 244: Qin Mengxuan: You’ll Find Out Later...

Ling Changqing strolled along the wide street, the roadside lined with numerous stalls.

A dazzling array of common, low-to-middle-end resources were on display, and the prices were not particularly expensive.

Although he didn’t hold out much hope of finding a hidden gem, Ling Changqing still had Gong Ling scan all the stalls on both sides of the street to see if anything was worth acquiring.

Undoubtedly, many of the goods had questionable origins, and the sellers, eager to unload them for cash, had priced them relatively low.

A few steps away, a child in red, not yet ten years old, was haggling fiercely with a stall owner, the argument growing quite heated.

Ling Changqing glanced over and realized they weren’t pure Human Race Cultivators, but two half-breeds of the Human and Demon Races. Their facial features still bore demonic traces, such as Qilin Armor.

Their parents had likely perished, so they had no choice but to make a living for themselves by running a stall.

Ling Changqing didn’t get involved. He walked past them in silence, continuing his casual browsing and only occasionally stopping at a stall.

"...Fellow Daoist, how much are you asking for this?"

A short while later, Ling Changqing stopped before a small table and asked in a gentle voice.

On the table were several Jade Boxes shimmering with Spiritual Light, containing various types of Spiritual Ink. There were also a few stacks of prepared green talisman paper and a neatly arranged row of different-sized Talisman Pens.

These were all materials and tools for Talisman Making, including both Rank Two and Three items.

"Senior, the Third Grade Spiritual Ink is two hundred Middle grade Spirit Stones per box, and the talisman paper is priced at..."

The stall owner, a weather-beaten Early stage Golden Core Loose Cultivator, spoke respectfully. He seemed to be suffering from a hidden injury, causing his aura to be impure and unstable.

Ling Changqing nodded, and with a slight stir of his Divine Thought, he drew a Jade Box over to inspect it.

One couldn’t tell much from the price alone. The key was to examine critical factors like the quantity, purity, and Spiritual Qi concentration of the Spiritual Ink, as well as the material of the talisman paper and the quality of its refinement process. These were details only a professional Talisman Master could truly appreciate.

After a quick inspection, Ling Changqing found that the items were indeed a bargain. ’Perhaps the stall owner needs Spirit Stones for an emergency?’

"Alright, I’ll take everything. Pack it all up for me. Do you have any more in stock? If so, bring it out!"

Ling Changqing said nonchalantly, fanning himself with his folding fan.

The stall owner’s expression was one of delighted surprise, but he still shook his head. "Senior, this is everything I own. If you’re satisfied, please take it all."

He seemed unwilling to invite complications, intending to leave as soon as this transaction was complete.

Ling Changqing nodded, watching the man pack everything up.

After confirming the contents were correct, Ling Changqing tossed him a bag of Spirit Stones and, with a wave of his hand, swept everything from the stall into his Storage Pouch.

After a leisurely departure, Ling Changqing made another round through the Marketplace, acquiring all the resources he had his eye on.

However, thanks to his Nascent Soul True Monarch aura, no one was foolish enough to cause him trouble. There weren’t even any who dared to secretly tail him.

Tribulation Cultivators are like a pack of hyenas, only considering a strike when they find a suitable target. They are wise enough to avoid opponents who are too powerful.

As evening fell, Ling Changqing finally walked into a teahouse.

The ambiance was unremarkable. It simply served various kinds of Low Grade Spirit Tea and sold some local specialties on the side.

"...I have come from the Land of the Far East Celestial Court. I’d like to see your Shopkeeper, if you would be so kind as to arrange an introduction."

Ling Changqing coolly instructed the serving girl who came to greet him, tossing her a few Spirit Stones as a tip.

Hearing this, the girl in the green skirt knew an important client had arrived. She immediately agreed with a respectful "Yes," and turned to leave.

A short while later, an ordinary-looking, middle-aged man in simple gray robes walked over at a measured pace. He cupped his hands in a salute and spoke in a low voice:

"I am Su Wuqi. And how should I address you, Fellow Daoist?"

He appeared to have Golden Core Peak Cultivation, yet even when facing this "Nascent Soul True Monarch," he didn’t seem intimidated. His attitude was perfectly composed—neither servile nor overbearing.

"I need to purchase some items here. I hope you can accommodate me, Fellow Daoist."

Ling Changqing didn’t beat around the bush, getting straight to the point.

Su Wuqi smiled politely. "We have items here, of course. But what of your token, Fellow Daoist?"

He didn’t ask what Ling Changqing wanted to buy. Perhaps their inventory was so vast that he was confident they would have whatever Ling Changqing needed.

Ling Changqing casually cast a magical Shielding Restriction around them, then took out the Jade Seal that Qin Mengxuan had given him.

Su Wuqi’s expression flickered. He accepted the Jade Seal with both hands, cradling it as he carefully identified it. When he returned it to Ling Changqing, his tone was markedly more respectful:

"So your identity is quite remarkable, Fellow Daoist. Please, step this way. Follow me inside for a look."

Ling Changqing nodded, put away the seal, and followed Su Wuqi into an inner chamber.

In the quiet inner chamber, they went around a jade screen. Su Wuqi then personally moved a bookshelf that was set against a wall, revealing a deep, dark, hidden passage.

Ling Changqing sensed no danger, so he followed Su Wuqi into it. After several hundred steps and passing through a series of doorways, the space before them suddenly opened up.

"...For safety’s sake, perhaps it would be best if you changed into this first, Fellow Daoist?"

As he spoke, Su Wuqi handed over a thick, black robe.

It was a special Magical Artifact, capable of Shielding one’s aura and blocking probes from Divine Thought.