The Hustle of Trade

"2nd-grade magical item!?" The man with the surname Zhang couldn't help but exclaim when he saw what Qi Xiu had taken out. His gaze swept over Qi Xiu Qi Xiu, and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something but didn't. Instead, he took the item from Qi Xiu and carefully placed it on the table to examine it.

Qi Xiu didn't say anything. He knew that for someone like him, a low-level Qi Condensation cultivator, even inner disciples of major sects or direct descendants of cultivation clans wouldn't easily have a second-grade magical item. 

First, because such tools were very valuable, and second, without reaching the late stage of Qi Condensation, you could not unleash the item's power fully. Even some struggling Foundation Establishment cultivators might not have a second-grade magical item.

However, Qi Xiu wasn't worried. This auction house was backed by the most powerful force in Clear River Market, with a long-standing good reputation. He had been here many times over the past ten years without any issues. 

A single second-grade low-tier magical item wouldn't be enough for them to risk their reputation, investigating him. So long as you put on a confident attitude, though this second floor was generally reserved for late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators, being a customer, they can't do anything to you.

"[Golden Light Cymbals], a second-grade low-tier magical item of the gold attribute. When the two pieces are combined, they can transform into a copper shield for defense, or be used to attack. When the two cymbals strike each other, a golden light beam can be shot out to attack the enemy. The condition is good."

After spending about an incense stick's time examining it, Zhang Lao began listing the item's attributes one by one:

"In shield form, its defense is equivalent to a first-grade high-tier item, and at full power, it can reach the second-grade threshold. But its attack power is quite lacking, not even as good as a first-grade mid-tier flying sword. As for the golden light beam, its speed is impressive, second-grade mid-tier, and its attack power is second-grade low-tier. However, it consumes a lot of spiritual energy, with a late-stage Qi cultivator managing only three strikes. Also, this kind of tool focused solely on combat is hard to sell at a high price. If we were to directly purchase this from you, we can offer this." Zhang Lao held up five fingers and flipped them twice, a five-five gesture, meaning fifty-five second-grade spiritual stones.

Qi Xiu took a sharp breath. Fifty-five spirit stones were far below his expectations. He hoped to sell this item — the most valuable item he had brought –- for at least seventy-five spirit stones.

Combined with the income from the miscellaneous items, he could gather enough to buy a [Foundation Establishment Pill.]

But there's no way around it. The Qi Yun Sect and its surrounding sects and clans mostly belonged to the orthodox Daoist path, considering themselves to be righteous, so combat-focused items were generally low-priced. 

"This price is really... " Qi Xiu gritted his teeth. "How about we try auctioning it first and see what happens?"

"Alright then, this magical item has both offense and defense capabilities, so it might fetch a good price at auction," said Elder Zhang. "Our store holds small-sized auctions every evening, and in two days, there will be a temporary exchange-gathering. In fifteen days, there will be the monthly mid-sized auction. If this item is entered in the small auction, it could be one of the highlights. If it participates in the mid-sized auction, it would only serve as filler. As for the exchange-gathering, if you want to participate, you need to first decide what you want to trade for. I can help you consider it." 

After discussing with Elder Zhang, Qi Xiu decided to participate in the mid-sized auction held fifteen days later.

Zhang Lao, with his years of experience, thoroughly helped Qi Xiu analyze the pros and cons of various forms of transaction. Since Qi Xiu needed a [Foundation Establishment Pill], and those who had such items would likely not be interested in the [Golden Light Cymbals], and Qi Xiu had nothing else to sweeten the offer, so it's better to buy it directly. Therefore, there's no need to attend the exchange-gathering.

As for the small-sized auction, though his item would be the highlight spot, the number of participants was small and the prices were much lower, so Qi Xiu, who was short on spirit stones, decided against it.

Waiting for the mid-sized auction in fifteen days to try his luck wasn't a bad idea. At worst, he would just sell it directly to this store at the price of 55 second-order spirit stones without commission. However, at that time, he's afraid he might have to sell his[storage pouch] to gather enough spirit stones. 

For cultivators, a dozen days isn't a long time.

After leaving the shop, he went to another store without stopping to compare the prices of various goods and sell some scarce materials that could be sold at a good price. 

After running around several large and small stores like this, he finally entered a large store specializing in spirit herbs and elixirs — it was no less impressive than the auction house.

First, he sold some of the spirit herbs he had brought along here, and then proposed to buy a [Foundation Establishment Pill]. 

The attendant who was with him was a middle-aged man with a blank face. He handed Qi Xiu a small booklet that detailed the methods and prices for purchasing the [Foundation Establishment Pill].

A 3nd-grade spirit stone or a 2nd-grade, middle-tier magical item or a 2nd-grade, low-tier flying sword or two pieces of refined gold or a three-hundred-year-old fleeceflower-root herb (polygonum multiflorum)...

Qi Xiu skimmed through the booklet and handed it back to the attendant. He didn't have any of the listed items.

"If I preorder... and pick it up after sixteen days, can it be cheaper?" Qi Xiu asked, knowing that in the alchemy trade, the price of ready-made items was often higher, and he didn't have enough spirit stones to buy something off the shelf.

"If you reserve it, if you provide the alchemy materials, our store will only charge you the labor fee," the attendant replied. "If you provide more materials, you can get a discount. If you wanna buy with spirit stones, there will be no discount. We can only guarantee that there will be stock for you when the time comes."

Qi Xiu pursed his lips, thought for some time, then decided to buy it here. This kind of large chamber of commerce had a good reputation and would keep customer information confidential. If he bought from another store, news of him possessing a [Foundation Establishment Pill], something that late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators would go crazy for, might leak out, and he could be targeted once he left the market

"I'll reserve it with spirit stones. What's the price in 2nd-grade spirit stones?" Qi Xiu asked.

"For 2nd-grade spirit stones… according to today's exchange rate for 3nd-grade spirit stones, it's 108," the attendant replied. "Since you're pre-ordering, we'll make it one hundred and five." 

Qi Xiu just felt a wave of frustration. 

Generally, one 3nd-grade spirit stone was worth 100 2nd-grade spirit stones, but in the market, low-grade spirit stones circulated in large quantities, and the mid- and high-grade spirit stones were scarce, making the price of 3nd-grade spirit stones slightly higher. 

This meant he had to spend an extra five second-grade spirit stones.

"Alright. I'll take one," Qi Xiu said through gritted teeth. There was no choice, as high-grade spirit stone mines were all controlled by large sects, making them even rarer in places dominated by individual cultivators and small sects. Even though the exchange rate in Qi Yun City was better, it wasn't a good idea to travel there — let alone the long distance.

The transaction was completed quickly. 

Qi Xiu paid a deposit and walked out of the store with a token to pick it up when the time came. 

It was only then that he noticed the sun was already in the west. After running all night and visiting so many stores, he realized he hadn't eaten or drunk anything all day.

Thinking of this, Qi Xiu suddenly felt tired and hungry. Though there were still many things that he had to sell, and the spirit stones were not enough, the auction would not take place until fifteen days later anyway, so there was no hurry. 

Qi Xiu found a small inn specializing in catering to low-level cultivators in the market, booked a room, ate something hastily, then went into the room and collapsed onto the bed.

He slept until noon the next day. 

With his low cultivation level, meditation could not restore his mental and physical fatigue. So when he woke up, he found blisters around his mouth—too much mental stress.

The Great Dao was indifferent. Master's lifespan was running out. Perhaps this [Foundation Establishment Pill]could help him break through to the next level and extend his life by a hundred years. 

The items he had brought to sell for the pill this time were just enough. If he's unlucky...

Qi Xiu didn't dare to think about it. Other than knowing how to craft 1st-grade talismans, he had no other skills that could earn him spirit stones. His success rate in crafting talismans was just average at best; it's not realistic to rely on it to earn spirit stones.

Moreover, Qi Xiu had some deeper worries; he was avoiding confronting them out of fear.

This was the third time he had come to exchange for the [Foundation Establishment Pill]for his master. As far as he knew, his master had already tried four times to reach the Foundation Establishment level with this pill, twice publicly and twice in secret. 

This one would be the fifth time. 

Generally, the more pills you use, the less effective they become. Plus, his Master was old and had injured his vital energy while trying to break through the last attempt, so the chances of him succeeding breakthrough this time were extremely slim.

Once his master passed away, the Chu Qin Sect would immediately dissipate like smoke.

Qi Xiu had never experienced a life without his master or his sect. He had been in the Chu Qin Sect since he could remember. To him, the Chu Qin Sect was his home. Sect Master Qi was his master and father. 

Qi Xiu had a deep affection for both of them.

Though he was almost at the age of thirty, he had spent the first ten-plus years focused solely on cultivation within the inner sect of the Chu, completely oblivious to external matters.

The next ten-plus years he had spent it trapped in that secluded place in seclusion where he only became somewhat familiar with the trade dynamics of a few marketplaces and some buying and selling skills.

That's all. In the other many other aspects of life, though, Qi Xiu lacked experience and understanding. Facing the possibility of living without the existence of Chu Qin Sect, Qi Xiu was like a child walking out into the night for the first time, filled with fear.

Sitting cross-legged in meditation, Qi Xiu silently circulated the Eternal Spring technique for one cycle, temporarily putting his worries out of his mind. Then he carefully counted the items in his hands. 

He had sold quite a few things yesterday, and most of what was left were some 1st-grade items. The most valuable ones were two 2nd-grade low-quality flying magical items, the Spirit Bamboo Kites.

Though these flying items were somewhat limited—their speed was about the same as a mortal's running speed and were not very durable—most cultivators would still have one if they could afford it. After all, flying swords-type-magical items were expensive, and for those in the Qi Condensation level, flying items were the only way to get airborne.

Both of these artifacts had been used, so the shops in the market would not accept them. However, they can still be used for quite some time. and should fetch a good price in the ghost market where rogue cultivators gather.

Besides these two items, the rest were various 1st-grade talismans and commonly used 1st-grade pills. Other than a few elemental defense barrier talismans, the rest could only be sold for no more than one 2nd-grade spirit stone.

Fortunately, there were a good number of these items. Shops in the market bought them for low prices and sold them high. At the ghost market, Qi Xiu could price them a bit lower than the shops, and they should be sold easily.

With a plan in mind, Qi Xiu packed up, ate something quickly, then headed to the ghost market in Clear River Market.