The market

Zhuan Ming was sleeping when sunrays came through the window into his eyes.

"Morning already?" he said while lying on his bed with a blanket that didn't even fully cover his legs and had two patched-up holes.

Today was the day he had to visit the market to get materials for the next part of his training. He first drank some water, then got dressed in the best clothes he could find. He decided to style his hair differently,since he had to wear a disguise. After all, it would be strange if he suddenly went from being poor to having rank 2 stones.

"Hey, old man, what do I need to buy in the market?" Zhuan Ming asked, somewhat curious.

"You have to purchase pore-purifying water, rank 1 spirit leaves, rank 2 golden rocks, and rank 2 clear skin carp oil," Qi Pill Ancestor replied.

Hearing this, he headed out. His first stop was a market stall, where he bought the cheapest hood he could find with the little money he had. Though he had already let his hair fall forward and slightly to the sides to obscure his face, he wanted to minimize the risk of being recognized.

Now that he felt safer and didn't have to worry as much about his identity, he made his way toward a store to sell his Sunstone Ores. After some thought, he decided to go to a mid-tier trading house rather than a high-end auction house or a small street vendor.

The Radiant Gem Pavilion was well-known in this region. It catered to both common cultivators and wealthy sect disciples, making it the perfect place to sell valuable resources without drawing too much attention. Zhuan Ming had no doubt that a higher-end establishment would fetch him a better price, but he wasn't in a position to deal with excessive scrutiny.

As he entered the pavilion, the scent of incense filled the air, mixing with the faint metallic tang of spirit ores. Rows of shelves displayed various materials—spirit herbs, refined metals, beast cores, and even some basic talismans. Zhuan Ming casually scanned the room, noting a few rank 2 cultivators walking around, most likely looking for useful resources.

A young attendant in a clean blue robe approached him, giving a professional smile. "Welcome to the Radiant Gem Pavilion. How may I assist you today?"

Zhuan Ming adjusted his hood slightly, keeping his face shadowed. "I have some Sunstone Ores I'd like to sell."

The attendant's smile didn't waver, but his eyes flickered with mild interest. "Sunstone Ore, you say? If you would follow me, I will have an appraiser take a look."

Zhuan Ming nodded and followed him to a side room, where an elderly man with thin, silver hair and sharp eyes sat behind a jade table. His cultivation aura was restrained, but Zhuan Ming could tell he was at least rank 3—someone not to be trifled with.

The old man barely glanced at him before extending a wrinkled hand. "Let me see the ores."

Zhuan Ming took out all the Sunstone Ores from his bag and placed them on the table. A faint golden glow pulsed from the stones.

The old man's expression shifted, his sharp gaze locking onto the ores. He lifted one, inspecting its density and spiritual fluctuations. After a long moment, he let out a quiet chuckle. He placed the stone down and looked at Zhuan Ming with newfound interest.

"Good quality, decent quantity… I'll offer you fifty low-grade spirit stones per piece."

Spirit stones were the currency of this world, used to trade for goods or cultivate by absorbing their energy.

Zhuan Ming raised an eyebrow. He knew the market price was closer to seventy for ores of this purity. "That's quite a low offer, Elder. These are some of the best Sunstone Ores you'll find outside an auction house."

The old man chuckled. "Boy, do you think we run a charity? Fifty is already generous for a rogue cultivator with no backing."

Zhuan Ming's eyes narrowed. He had expected some negotiation, but this old fox was clearly trying to pressure him.

Zhuan Ming smirked. "Is the elder trying to bully the young?"

He continued to negotiate. "Sixty-five per piece."

The old man's smirk disappeared. He expected that Zhuan Ming would take the deal, seeing how he was pressuring him, but he didn't budge.

"Quite brave for a young one, but the best I can do is fifty-five." The old man also wasn't about to just give up.

"Sixty, and I get twenty percent off the rank 2 clear skin carp oil." Zhuan Ming didn't want to lose out on too much.

"Sixty per piece, but ten percent off the rank 2 clear skin carp oil." The old man quickly replied.

"Fine," Zhuan Ming agreed. He could always get more stones, and the price for the next deal would now be more defined. But for now, he only needed the oil.

He completed the transaction and got 600 low-grade spirit stones.

He then bought the rank 2 clear skin carp oil, which left him with 500 low-grade spirit stones, which equated to five mid-grade spirit stones.

"Another disadvantage of being weak," he said to himself internally, feeling that he could have gotten a better price.

Next on his list was to get some rank 1 spirit leaves, which he decided to buy at a different place so there was no chance of his plans being known. After purchasing them at a street stall for a low price, since they were quite common, he only had rank 2 golden rocks and pore-purifying water left to buy.

They weren't hard to find. After a short while of walking, he found some with great quality at a good price.

Now that he had everything, he started heading back when he noticed a board announcing that the entrance exams for the inner disciples would begin soon.

In the sect, people between the ages of eight and sixteen could enter as disciples. They had to complete simple tasks every week to gather disciple points, which they could exchange for rewards. There was a minimum requirement of three tasks per week. Those with great talent or who passed the entrance exam could become inner disciples. They would be provided with materials and taught directly.

"Join. Even though it will draw attention to you, it will be better than you suddenly becoming strong. It is better to make some moves in the open and hope they just chalk it up to you being a late bloomer," Qi Pill Ancestor spoke.

"Since I have to hurry before they discover the hidden ruins beneath their mountain, I guess there isn't a better option," Zhuan Ming considered.

"Also before you head back buy a large metal bath." Qi Pill Ancestor's voice echoed in his mind.

Zhuan Ming didn't plan to question it, knowing he would find out the purpose soon enough.

Once he had purchased that, he was left with 350 low-grade spirit stones.

It was time to head back home.