Chapter Ninety-Six: Acquiring the Method

“Is this the place the clerk mentioned, the one that supplies the entire city with grains, vegetables, and meat?”

Gazing at the wooden buildings before him, stretching out in clusters of varying heights and faintly forming a mysterious formation, Qi Xiu’s eyes shimmered with a colorful haze.

Having refined his body through primal alchemy to cultivate ancient blood, he was extraordinary and transcendent.

His physical skills and senses, including his sixth sense, had all leapt forward significantly.

To others, these wooden buildings appeared ordinary.

But to him, they radiated various arcane and obscure energies, each with its own hue.

This Shenji General Store was by no means a mere marketplace.

There had to be some hidden secret!

Curiosity sparked in his heart as Qi Xiu stepped into this strange market filled with profound mysteries.

Upon entering Shenji General Store, a wave of warm human energy and bustling crowds washed over him.

The market was packed shoulder to shoulder, lively and chaotic.

Colorful tents, bright drapes, and multicolored flags adorned the entire scene.

Brilliant decorations hung from the stalls, exuding enchanting and alluring fragrances.

Stalls were laden with dazzling goods—from silks and jewels to spices and herbs, nothing was missing.

Merchants skillfully hawked their rarest and most precious wares.

They shouted loudly about their products’ merits, demonstrating quality and utility.

Customers wandered among countless choices, bargaining with sellers to find the best fit for their needs and budget.

To the left, beside a specially maintained wide gate, large horse-drawn carts laden with rice, flour, vegetables, fish, meat, oil, and salt streamed out continuously.

They were clearly destined for the city’s grand restaurants, markets, rice shops, and grain stores.

“Even supermarkets from my past life probably can’t compare to the vastness and variety of this general store,” Qi Xiu murmured, slightly astonished at seeing such a massive market for the first time.

He roughly surveyed the market, which spanned an area equivalent to more than a dozen football fields.

Qi Xiu then headed toward the stairs leading to the second floor of the wooden buildings.

On either side of the stairs stood two statuesque, fair-skinned, sweet-faced young women waiting.

The wooden planks were suspended by ropes, hanging in midair, surrounded by red cords—an eye-catching open space in this large market.

Approaching the finely inscribed red cords, Qi Xiu was surprised when the strange ropes untied themselves and even made a welcoming gesture.

Well, an automatic door, huh?

As Qi Xiu stared in astonishment at the ropes, one of the young maidens stepped forward, bowed slightly to the side, and spoke sweetly:

“Is this your first time at our Shenji General Store, sir?

I’m Yan’er. Would you like me to show you around first?”

The beautiful young woman stood before him. As a gentleman and scholar, Qi Xiu naturally could not refuse her face.

“Then, I’ll trouble you, Miss Yan’er.”

“You’re too kind. May I ask your name?” Yan’er smiled lightly, gesturing for Qi Xiu to follow as she led him up the wooden stairs to the second floor.

“Call me... Bai Yutang.”

Pausing briefly, Qi Xiu mentally donned a new alias.

In the martial world, one must be cautious.

“Ah, Master Bai, Yutang... elegant and dignified, just like your name,” Yan’er responded softly.

With just a few words, she effortlessly made the client feel comfortable—an expert salesperson.

The rest would be easier.

“Miss, you flatter me,” Qi Xiu replied.

Ascending the wooden stairs to the suspended second floor, he found a market space similar in size to the first floor but noticeably more refined and elegant.

No more small stalls or street vendors.

Walking along, they passed rows of shops side by side, each hanging various signs.

Bright, clear red lanterns glowed, and specialized attendants stood at the doors recommending shops, filling the air with mixed mystical energies.

Almost all those conducting business on the second floor were martial artists or practitioners at the realm of true enlightenment.

The open-front shops sold medicinal pills, weapons, secret manuals, rare materials, and even several restaurants.

But these restaurants did not offer ordinary dishes.

Instead, they served special “meals” with unique effects.

Besides these regular businesses, Qi Xiu noticed two gambling houses, three flower houses, and more than a dozen mysterious shops called “Immortal Grove.”

“This general store truly lives up to its name—selling everything,” Qi Xiu said with a faint smile, withdrawing his gaze from the tightly sealed Immortal Grove.

In this world, such things were quite normal.

Especially in the high-pressure, perilous cultivation community.

Without effectively releasing the mental stress and depression, martial artists could easily fall into madness or even transform into monsters.

Compared to such tragic and harmful outcomes, a small indulgence was nothing.

“Since the business is open, customers come first.

Master Bai, is there anything you wish to purchase? Yan’er can help you negotiate a discount~”

Looking into her moist, slightly expectant eyes, Qi Xiu nodded silently.

This general store truly grasped business opportunities.

Few normal men could resist such a gaze.

“The goods here are indeed comprehensive and fine.

But they’re not quite suitable for me.”

Qi Xiu’s words caused Yan’er’s eyes to dim slightly, and she sighed softly—looks like no commission today.

“Miss Yan’er, do you know if there is a market within this general store suitable for Taoist cultivators?”

“What? Taoist cultivators? Master Bai, you are a Taoist cultivator?”

Yan’er stared at Qi Xiu in disbelief.

A moment later, his figure seemed to radiate brilliance and dignity in her eyes.

If she could do business with a Taoist cultivator, her commission would be enough for half a year!

More importantly, having access to Taoist cultivators would make her future much easier.

“Does it not seem so?”

Qi Xiu gathered a trace of energy, and suddenly a clear, translucent protective aura enveloped him.

“Protective True Energy!”

Having been professionally trained to work here, Yan’er immediately recognized the shimmering, glass-like aura as the protective true energy only Taoist cultivators could master.

Suppressing the surge of emotions within, Yan’er unconsciously moved closer to Qi Xiu.

“Master Bai, you are handsome and refined, truly extraordinary.

Yan’er has been blind.”

Her soft body nearly pressed against him, her subtle, clean fragrance wafted into his nostrils.

Seizing the moment, she slipped her arm around his slender, silky waist.

Qi Xiu chuckled softly:

“Better late than never.”

Such a gift offered should not be declined; it would be against nature.

Blushing faintly, Yan’er boldly hooked her arm through his.

“The Taoist market is dangerous.

We ordinary attendants seldom enter there, so you must protect Yan’er well.”

“Of course.”

Nodding, Qi Xiu held the fragrant figure gently and slowly ventured deeper into the second-floor market.

They arrived before a dark bronze door.

Sitting by the door was a strange figure dressed in a dark blue short jacket, hair meticulously groomed, with a mature bearing but the face of a child.

“Fifth Uncle, this is Master Bai Yutang.

He wishes to purchase some Taoist techniques.

Please advise.”

Yan’er bowed respectfully before the childlike figure.

Glancing up at Qi Xiu’s fair and refined face, the Fifth Uncle showed a flicker of surprise.

“Master Bai has great talent.

So young yet already a Taoist cultivator—his future is limitless.”

After praising him, the Fifth Uncle pondered silently.

Bai?

Could he be a descendant of the venerable Bai family in Yunpu?

After some formalities, the Fifth Uncle cupped his hands and suddenly cast a radiant glow that enveloped them both.

“Please tell me what Taoist techniques you wish to purchase, and I will offer you the best price.

Our conversation is absolutely confidential, and if anyone else learns of it, the general store will compensate you a hundredfold.”

After a moment’s thought, Qi Xiu raised his hand in salute:

“I seek a martial path technique specializing in offense;

also a technique in the arts for trapping enemies, evasion, and protection.

Can you offer guidance?”

The Fifth Uncle’s expression shifted slightly at the request.

A dual cultivation of martial and Taoist arts?!

He then opened his right hand, formed hand seals, and after a moment of calculation, produced an irregular jade piece glowing faintly with gold flecks and inscribed characters.

“This technique is called the ‘Azure Flame Great Palm Seal,’ a martial path skill.

Created by Qingyunzi, head of the Mingguang Sect, its power is immense.

A single strike unleashes raging azure flames with continuous palm strikes capable of breaking mountains and cutting through valleys.

If practiced to mastery, one may even comprehend the divine flame control.

It costs only one hundred Dao coins, offering excellent value.”

The Fifth Uncle vividly explained to Qi Xiu.

But he did not notice the subtle change and slight embarrassment crossing the young man’s face.

Dao coins?

What were Dao coins?

Suddenly realizing that transactions among transcendent Taoist cultivators likely used currency other than mundane silver and gold.

As a newly minted Taoist cultivator, Qi Xiu had only a few tens of thousands of silver notes soaking in his Jiao Pool.

He had not a single Dao coin.

Sensing the change in Qi Xiu’s expression, the Fifth Uncle curiously asked:

“Master Bai, do you not like the ‘Azure Flame Great Palm Seal’?”

Thinking Qi Xiu simply rejected the martial technique, the Fifth Uncle flipped his palm to summon another.

“Please wait, Fifth Elder.

I was in such a rush that some of my Dao coins got damaged.

May I sell some spiritual talismans here instead?”

Of course, he could not admit to the boy that he had no currency.

Otherwise, they might have thrown him out.

Qi Xiu quickly thought of a plausible excuse.

“Oh, understood.

Shenji General Store buys and sells.

What kind of talisman do you have? May I see?”

The Fifth Uncle had seen many wealthy young masters spending lavishly and smiled as he nodded.

Qi Xiu flicked a finger and took out a [Suppressing Talisman].

This talisman was written before his breakthrough to Taoist cultivation, originally intended for Song Tingye but delayed due to other matters.

Thus, this talisman was not an ordinary piece of paper but an iron plaque specially forged by a blacksmith.

Its quality was quite impressive.

Taking the [Suppressing Talisman], the Fifth Uncle examined it briefly.

Suddenly, a thread of energy entered the talisman.

Buzz—

The talisman activated, emitting golden light and a deep suppressing aura that filled the void and shook the surrounding light barrier.

“A fine item!

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such pure orthodox golden light.

Though its power is weak, the divine aura is genuine.

This must be the lowest-grade talisman he carries.

There must be even better goods!

This Master Bai is truly extraordinary!”

...

(End of chapter)