Chapter 7: The Prices Are So High

In a daze, Nie Mengyun returned to her residence.

The status of an Outer Disciple was, naturally, much higher than that of a Servant Disciple.

Not only could they apply for their own private abode in a corner of the Sect’s Lower Grade Spirit Vein, but they were also no longer forced to perform servant chores.

However, they were required to complete one Sect mission every three months. Failure to do so would not only result in the cancellation of their monthly stipend but, in serious cases, could also lead to an investigation by the Law Enforcement Hall.

"Did I do the wrong thing?"

After returning to her residence, Nie Mengyun collapsed onto her bed in a daze. But before long, she sat up straight, the confusion in her eyes vanishing.

"No, I wasn’t wrong!

’My aptitude is terrible—just the lowest-grade Five Spirit Roots, and they aren’t even pure; they’re a complete mess. To pursue Cultivation with such talent, I must be ruthless, using every available resource to clear the thorns from my path.

He was destined to be just an insignificant passerby on my journey. There’s no need to care.’

Having once again solidified her resolve, Nie Mengyun was no longer affected by Jiang Xu’s words.

Her emotions gradually calmed.

But after she calmed down, she felt that something about the whole affair was off.

’For the past five years, that man, Jiang Xu, has always doted on me. He’s never even raised his voice at me. Why would he treat me like this today?’

Following this thought, Nie Mengyun began to recall the recent events involving Jiang Xu.

Everything seemed logical on the surface, but she had been with Jiang Xu for five years. She knew his personality and temperament like the back of her hand, and she believed that no matter what, he would never have treated her that way.

’He failed his breakthrough and walked through the Ghost Gate. Could it be that the great terror of facing life and death changed his personality?’

Wait!

Nie Mengyun felt like she was onto something. She quickly replayed everything she had seen that day in her mind.

"AH!"

She shot to her feet.

’If Jiang Xu was really so severely injured, then when I went over today, the Spirit Field under his care shouldn’t have been thriving. It should have been overgrown with weeds and withered!’

But at the same time, a new doubt surfaced in her mind.

’But when I performed my Investigation, his meridians were indeed severely damaged. How can that be explained?’

Strange, how very strange.

Unable to make heads or tails of it, Nie Mengyun decided to head out and go back to Jiang Xu’s place to get to the bottom of things.

However, not long after leaving her residence, Nie Mengyun heard a low, hoarse voice from nearby.

"What a coincidence, Fellow Daoist Nie. We meet again. It’s only been a day since we last saw each other, but it feels like three autumns."

Nie Mengyun turned her head and saw that she knew the speaker.

The man’s name was Qin Mo, an Outer Disciple who had been knocking around the Outer Sect for many years and had already reached the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer.

Just a few days ago, he had specifically come over to congratulate her on her promotion to the Outer Sect and on moving into her new home.

She had also heard others mention him.

It was said he was fond of some unorthodox tricks, had a bad temper, was difficult to get along with, and was generally disliked.

But because Qin Mo’s methods were so bizarre, no one was willing to provoke him, and Nie Mengyun was no exception.

Looking at the ugly, middle-aged man before her, whose eyes kept raking her up and down, she forced a smile.

"It is quite a coincidence. Is there something you need, Fellow Daoist Qin?"

"Where might Fellow Daoist Nie be headed? If you don’t mind, I could accompany you and be your flower guardian."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist, but that won’t be necessary."

Qin Mo took two steps forward and said:

"Hey, don’t be like that.

The Sect isn’t completely safe, you know. A beauty like you, Fellow Daoist Nie—if some scoundrel were to have their eye on you, wouldn’t that be extremely dangerous?

I’m not just bragging; I’d say I’m pretty capable."

’Who would want your protection! You’re the source of the danger!’ Nie Mengyun didn’t dare say it aloud, cursing him inwardly instead.

She immediately forgot all about Jiang Xu, gave a few hurried replies, and turned right around, heading back to her residence.

Meanwhile, Qin Mo stared at Nie Mengyun’s retreating back, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

"Heh heh, the Outer Sect isn’t such an easy place to get by. You’ll find out sooner or later."

After speaking, he looked off in the direction Nie Mengyun had originally been heading.

"I remember that’s the direction of the Servant Disciples. Right, I think someone mentioned she has a sweetheart who’s a servant..."

Qin Mo subconsciously touched a small, dark green pouch on his belt and murmured:

"Well, isn’t this a coincidence. My little baby is getting hungry."

...

"Fellow Daoist, your prices are outrageous! Ten Spirit Stones for a common Fireball Technique? Why don’t you just go rob someone?"

Inside the trading market, Jiang Xu complained indignantly to a stall owner.

"Tier One Lower Grade Magic all goes for ten Spirit Stones and up! Look here, this is a brand-new, top-quality Jade Scroll, and it even comes from the hand of a Foundation Establishment Elder of our Sect’s Scripture Pavilion. You think it’s expensive? I think it’s expensive!

Not only does it contain all the secrets to mastering the technique, but it also has all sorts of insights and experiences left by predecessors. I guarantee you’ll learn it instantly after using it.

It’s way better than some trashy handwritten copy. If one of those things has a single character copied wrong, you won’t even have time to cry before it’s too late!"

Seeing Jiang Xu’s reaction, the stall owner began to defend his wares just as passionately.

The place Jiang Xu was in now was not a Marketplace.

A place like a Marketplace could only be found outside the Profound Origin Sect.

Within the Profound Origin Sect, there were only the trading markets in each respective area.

Servant Disciples like Jiang Xu could still have a few Spirit Stones in their pockets, as long as they were frugal.

Therefore, some resourceful servants and Outer Sect Disciples, and even some Inner Sect Disciples who weren’t doing so well, would come to the trading market in the servant area to hawk their goods.

Jiang Xu had confirmed today that he could heal his damaged meridians on his own, which meant the five Spirit Stones he had on hand could be used for other purposes.

Spirit Stones held in one’s hand were no different from ordinary stones.

Only when they were spent could their true value be realized.

Jiang Xu felt very insecure right now. He needed to buy something to increase his strength, at least to the point where he could protect himself.

Unfortunately, the prices in the Cultivation Realm were too high. The five Spirit Stones in his hand were a pitifully small amount, and the things he could afford were few and far between.

A single Tier One Lower Grade attack Talisman cost one Spirit Stone, while a Defense Type cost two. The prices alone were enough to make Jiang Xu back away.

He thought about buying a Magic technique, but one look at the price told him he could only afford half of one.

As for other things like Elixirs or Magical Artifacts, Jiang Xu didn’t even bother looking, lest he get depressed.

Jiang Xu currently knew two Magic techniques. The Small Cotton Needle Technique could barely be considered an Attack Technique.

He figured that with a higher Skill Level, it probably wouldn’t be weak, so he could put aside buying an Attack Technique for now.

Besides an Attack Technique, Jiang Xu also wanted to learn Defense and escape Magic.

By that calculation, he was still fifteen Spirit Stones short.

"So expensive!"

Just as Jiang Xu was leaving the stall, thinking he might as well buy some Talismans to make do for now, a stall owner not far away called out to him.

"Fellow Daoist! Fellow Daoist! Come have a look over here! My stuff is much cheaper!"