Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 69: The Deal

"To express my apology to you, young friend, I can offer some spiritual items in exchange. May I ask if there is anything lacking in your daily cultivation?"

After gaining a preliminary understanding, Mr. Meng immediately expressed his apologies and proposed to make amends through a transaction, which should be the true source of welfare-based transactions.

A slap followed by a sweet treat—this method of making amends effectively can completely eliminate any remaining dissatisfaction in the hearts of the cultivators being probed.

"Elder Meng is doing this to maintain peace and tranquility in the mid-grade first-tier courtyard area, which I greatly admire. As for the spiritual items that are lacking, the only thing I need is a mid-grade first-tier spiritual pill to aid in cultivation."

Tong Bingfeng naturally wouldn't refuse this welfare-oriented transaction that he was entitled to, and immediately offered the spiritual item he urgently needed.

To advance to the seventh level of Qi Refining in the shortest time, even with the help of a mouthful of innate primordial energy from a water-attribute crystal gourd at the last moment, it is still not easy. First, a large number of spiritual pills are needed to accumulate a sufficient amount and purity of mana in the dantian.

"I happen to have some mid-grade first-tier spirit pills here that aid in cultivation advancement. These are Water-type pills, specifically for water-attribute cultivators. I acquired them through a direct trade with a close alchemist friend. Each pill costs six spirit stones. Are you satisfied, young friend?"

After pondering for a moment, Elder Meng took out a light blue, mid-grade first-tier spirit pill. Compared to the more common Yuan-Enhancing Pill, one could clearly sense the pure water-attribute spiritual power contained within it.

The Water-Embracing Pill is specially designed to assist water-attribute cultivators in the mid-stage of Qi Refining. It is meticulously crafted from first-grade mid-level water-attribute spiritual herbs without any other attribute spiritual herbs added, and its efficiency is even higher after refining.

In the icy northern frontier, due to the large number of water-attribute cultivators, the price of these elixirs, which are specifically designed to assist water-attribute cultivators in their cultivation, is even higher. Most importantly, the supply is not sufficient. Meng Lao's price is undoubtedly a welfare benefit of offering a discount under his name.

"Thank you for your kindness, Elder Meng. The Watery Elixir is exactly what I need."

Tong Bingfeng readily agreed. Overwhelmed by the satisfaction of the transaction, any remaining dissatisfaction in his heart vanished without a trace.

"Young friend, what kind of spiritual items do you intend to use for the transaction? What is the quantity? Direct exchange with spirit stones is also acceptable."

Old Master Meng stroked his long beard with his right hand, quite satisfied with Tong Bingfeng's reaction.

The Water-Radiance Pill, a mid-grade first-tier spiritual pill, might be quite precious to other cultivators, but to an old cultivator like him, who had many friends and whose cultivation had stagnated, it was just an ordinary pill.

"By sheer chance, I have obtained two top-grade first-rank ginseng roots. I humbly request Elder Meng to appraise and value them."

Because of his suspicions about the identity of this old man, Tong Bingfeng had no choice but to take out the ginseng, since such a spiritual herb was not uncommon in the market.

"These are actually wild ginseng grown naturally in nature. Young friend, you have a good opportunity. In this respect, I have come out ahead in this transaction. These two first-grade high-quality wild ginsengs can replenish my vital energy."

A bright light shot out from Meng Lao's eyes. The most basic use of ginseng is to replenish the cultivator's vital energy, and its medicinal properties are mild and will not produce any negative effects.

"Bartering is a mutually beneficial exchange. Since these two ginseng roots have caught Elder Meng's eye, it is my good fortune. Could I exchange them for a few bottles of Water-Refining Pills?"

Tong Bingfeng was in his prime and focused on cultivation, so he didn't pay much attention to the effects of ginseng in replenishing vital energy.

"Two first-grade superior ginseng roots, exchanged for ten bottles containing one hundred Watery Pills. Are you satisfied, young friend?"

Elder Meng immediately offered a relatively fair price, equivalent to three hundred spirit stones for a single ginseng root, which could be traded for at most nine bottles of Watery Pills on the market.

"Deal made, thank you Mr. Meng for making this possible."

Tong Bingfeng readily agreed, saying that ten bottles of Water-Infused Pills would be enough to meet his cultivation needs for three months, thus relieving his immediate crisis.

After a cup of tea, the transaction was successfully completed. Tong Bingfeng left the house and smoothly integrated into the circle of communication among the different cultivators in the courtyard.

Under the guidance of some relatively familiar cultivators, Tong Bingfeng's network of connections expanded and improved rapidly.

The content of the conversations between different cultivators was naturally quite different. They might be analyzing common difficulties in their daily cultivation, or sharing information about the main areas where monsters in the Ice Domain appeared and the common attack methods of monsters.

As a newcomer, Tong Bingfeng naturally prioritized humility, listening attentively to the discussions of other cultivators, carefully filtering out the dross and retaining the essence, so that he could use it when needed in the future.

"Clang, clang, clang"

Around mid-morning, the clear sound of a bell rang in the courtyard, and all the voices of the cultivators ceased abruptly, with all eyes turning to a simple set of steps.

"Thank you all for coming. This is the thirtieth trade fair I have held. I have prepared a total of thirty-five mid-grade first-tier spiritual items, which will be displayed around the area shortly. The price of each item is marked. Fellow Daoists who are interested can simply leave spirit stones or spiritual items of equivalent value to take them away."

"Furthermore, this trading platform is available for fellow Daoists to trade spiritual items. However, please note that all spiritual items appearing here must be genuine. If any defective or counterfeit spiritual items are discovered in the future, not only will you be required to pay double the amount, but you will also be barred from entering the courtyard to participate in gatherings in the future. Fellow Daoists, please..."

After Meng Lao explained the rules briefly, he stepped aside. At the same time, the cultivators, led by Liu Zong, took out the spiritual items that were under transparent glass covers and arranged them neatly around the temporary trading platform.

The monks in the courtyard seemed to be looking forward to this moment, each hurrying towards their respective glass domes, gathering in small groups.

The spiritual items sold out quickly, and Tong Bingfeng didn't even have time to examine them all, let alone buy any, before the glass case was already empty.

"The variety of spiritual items is quite complete, ranging from talismans, magical artifacts, and elixirs to spiritual herbs, materials, and seeds, all of which are quite practical for mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators."

"Moreover, the price of each spiritual item is slightly lower than that in the market shops, no wonder these cultivators are flocking here."

Seeing this scene, Tong Bingfeng couldn't help but sigh, and at the same time, he felt a pang of regret. After all, if he had acted immediately, he would have had the chance to buy at least one of them.

Even if you don't use the spiritual items you buy from the glass cases, you can still earn extra income by selling them at the market.

"Today I will test the waters by offering one mid-grade first-tier Pingyuan Fruit in exchange for three mid-grade first-tier spiritual pills to aid in cultivation."

On the simple trading platform, a Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator took out a fist-sized spiritual fruit, wanting to exchange it for three spiritual pills.