txolops Chapter 42: Peeping
Chapter 42: Peeping
"May I ask, Fellow Daoist Shangguan, is this a Thunder Pearl?"
Tong Bingfeng examined him carefully from head to toe, while simultaneously sensing this unprecedented explosive power with his divine sense, and tentatively asked him questions.
Thunder Pearls are also sold in the Ice Sea Market, but the quantity is limited and the price is high. They are usually acquired by cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining.
Thunder Pearls are the product of meticulous collaboration between weapon refiners and talisman makers. During thunderstorms, lightning is drawn in and sealed using special methods, creating a delicate balance between two completely different forces.
The cultivator only needs to input their own magic power into it to easily break it, drawing out the most primal power of thunder in order to maximize its destructive power against the enemy.
"Young friend, you are knowledgeable and discerning. These are genuine, high-quality, first-tier superior-grade Thunder Pearls from Thundercloud Spirit Island. Each pearl is priced at fifty spirit stones. They are of excellent quality, a fair trade, and honest dealings. How many do you need, young friend?"
Whenever Shangguan Yousan introduced the Thunder Beads in his hand, he couldn't suppress the pride on his face, as if each Thunder Bead was made by him personally.
Of course, the price of Thunder Pearls is also quite high. Unless there is an urgent need, no Qi Refining stage cultivator would choose to buy them.
However, due to their rarity, these first-grade high-quality thunder beads typically cost around sixty-five spirit stones in the Ice Spirit Island Market, and are basically always out of stock.
"Deal made. Please sell me three first-grade high-quality thunder pearls, Fellow Daoist Shangguan."
After some deliberation, Tong Bingfeng made a decisive decision. The three thunder beads were within his current tolerance range, and could be used to save himself in case of danger, and even to deter the owner of Liu's Grocery Store.
When he tried to break his promise and forcibly seize the spoils of war with his late-stage Qi Refining cultivation, the three first-grade high-quality thunder pearls became his trump card in a desperate attempt to win.
"Young friend, would you like to purchase any other spiritual items?"
"I have traveled to more than ten second-tier spirit islands over the years, and I sell the specialties of each island. I am willing to give you a fair and just price."
Shangguan Yousan was enthusiastically promoting his product, seemingly wanting to internally consume all the 600 spirit stones he had obtained from selling the corpses of 45 mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts.
"Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist Shangguan, but my elders have only left me a quota of 150 spirit stones, which I can use to purchase the spiritual items I need. The remainder still needs to be taken home."
Everything has its limits. Six hundred spirit stones is naturally just an insignificant amount for some sects or families.
However, for Tong Bingfeng, who was all alone and only had the cultivation level of the fourth level of Qi Refining, it was a huge sum of money. If he could easily spend it all here, wouldn't that attract attention?
Not to mention, as a Qi Refining Level 4 cultivator, the Ice Sea Market has a more than sufficient supply of all kinds of spiritual pills needed for daily cultivation.
As for the so-called drug resistance, it does not exist for Tong Bingfeng at all. The daily supply of elixirs is already scarce, so such problems will not occur in the short term.
"Very well, buying and selling are free. This transaction is now complete. I should give you three first-grade high-quality thunder pearls and four hundred and fifty spirit stones."
Shangguan Yousan also knew when to stop. After confirming that Tong Bingfeng would not continue the transaction, he immediately took out the corresponding Thunder Pearls and Spirit Stones and successfully ended the transaction.
"The transaction is complete. I shall take my leave now. I wish you, Fellow Daoist Shangguan, great success in your business endeavors and abundant wealth."
After bowing, Tong Bingfeng turned into a streak of light without any hesitation and strode towards the Ice Spirit Island, though not in the direction of the rented courtyard.
"I always travel here aboard the Five Sacred Mountains. If you have any business dealings in the future, please feel free to come."
Shangguan Yousan watched the departing figure and loudly declared his sincerity, but he did not receive a response from the other party, only a distant back view and a waving gesture.
"This young friend may be young, but his caution is quite remarkable. He didn't even give his name during the entire transaction."
"Moreover, this vigilance clearly did not come from forced instruction from an elder. It is most likely that the person suffered a loss in their previous cultivation career and is probably a rogue cultivator."
Shangguan Yousan muttered to himself, "Old man, cunning horse, slippery." In the eyes of this experienced old cultivator, Tong Bingfeng's performance just now was full of flaws.
Of course, this deal was a win-win situation for both of them, and he wasn't particularly interested in delving into the client's secrets.
A quarter of an hour later, Tong Bingfeng's figure appeared on the hills in the northwest of Bingling Spirit Island. There were no spiritual veins here, and the land was barren and had no value. Most of the cultivators who came here were mainly there to practice spells.
"Even with such extreme caution, they still attracted the attention of some people with ulterior motives. Could it be that Shangguan Yousan is planning to double-cross them?"
Tong Bingfeng's steps never faltered, but the cold yet burning gazes behind him, though hidden, had never ceased since he left the dock.
Although he lacked experience in this area, as a cultivator who made a living by hunting demonic beasts, he naturally understood the significance of it, namely that some cultivators had secretly observed the entire process of his transaction with Shangguan Yousan.
Of course, apart from himself, only Shangguan Yousan truly understood the value of this transaction, which was also the fundamental reason why he immediately became suspicious. Wealth can move people's hearts, and spirit stones can also make even ghosts do the work.
"If Shangguan Yousan chooses to double-cross, this battle will be quite difficult to handle. If it is another cultivator, with the deterrent effect of three first-grade high-level thunder pearls, there is still room for negotiation."
"Murder and arson bring wealth and power. Whoever harbors evil intentions and acts upon them, don't blame me for being ruthless."
It was under the guidance of this thought that Tong Bingfeng traveled at a rapid pace and chose the sparsely populated hilly area on Ice Spirit Island as the place for the duel.
After a series of battles with the demonic beasts, Tong Bingfeng's murderous aura was genuine, and he was quite interested in the storage bag at the perpetrator's waist.
After all, how strong is the cultivator himself if he chooses a lone cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining as the target of an ambush?
"May I ask who you are, fellow Daoist, who has followed me all the way from the docks? What brings you here? Why not show yourself?"
Tong Bingfeng finally chose to stand on a small hill about twenty feet high. His eyes were like torches, shooting out beams of light as he surveyed the area within a hundred feet in radius, secretly observing every move. If there was even the slightest fluctuation, he would immediately test it with his Azure Water Sword.
"I have come here today out of desperation. My family is destitute, and I have come to ask you for a loan of two hundred spirit stones to tide me over. I beg you to grant my request."
A mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, completely shrouded in a wide black robe, stepped forward brazenly, making no attempt to conceal his intention to rob and steal.
"Two hundred spirit stones are far beyond my means. Since we are both cultivators from Ice Spirit Island, I would like to offer twenty spirit stones as a small help."