003: Teal River Town
Just as planned, Zemirah fixed herself first and prepared her talisman as she kept all her belongings. The cave is now bare again, and Zemirah was prepared to come in contact with the cultivators of this world.
"Let's go, Sia. We can do this," Zemirah cheered herself as she took a deep breath.
She didn't use the [Pink Ivory Horse] to travel and decided to walk on foot. That horse is beautiful and eye-catching, she may provoke the greed of others.
She walked for three hours before finding her way out of the forest and saw her destination, the Teal River Town.
The town is quite big, though still much smaller than the cities based on her memory. This Town must be a mid-tier one, especially since it is close to Teal River Forest where many demonic beasts live.
She can see many cultivators coming and going, there are also many mortals. It is quite lively.
It was easy to distinguish them as cultivators who have this inexplicable aura after cultivating. Something like being detached from mortal worries.
After days of not seeing a single human, Zemirah was happy to finally see so many people. Although she knew that cultivators kill others as common as eating, it didn't hinder her little joy.
In this world, mortals and cultivators have close interaction. Most cultivators came from mortal families. Though most people at the top came from various cultivators factions.
There are also dynasties and kingdoms that can rival sects with their power. The Teal River Town is part of the Golden Light Dynasty, where the reigning Emperor is said to be in the Nascent Soul Realm.
Zemirah paid a dozen silver coins before entering the town. She asked the guard where the Inn could be found and went to the pointed street.
There are 3 main districts in the town, Rest District, Ivor District, and Teal District. The Rest District has the most establishments, from restaurants to inns. Ivor District has been occupied by stalls provided by the Town to the cultivators and merchants where they rent stalls temporarily to sell and trade. Teal District is where the Town Lord's Mansion resides. The whole district is owned by the Town Lord and his officials, and every shop is connected to the dynasty.
She went to the Rest District and chose a decent-looking inn. Zemirah's attire attracted looks from the crowd but no one bothered her.
As for those brainless cultivators in the novels? They are not without but most cultivators survive by using the brain.
The people only knew that the face hidden by her veil must be a beauty that could topple a dynasty.
"A single room, thank you," Zemirah said to the girl at the counter.
The girl blushed and nodded, "A single room will cost 15 silver per night. Can I ask how many days the lady intends to stay in our humble inn?"
Zemirah took out a gold coin that is equivalent to a thousand silver coins. "I hope no one disturbs my rest."
The girl widened her eyes as she held the gold coin and nodded repeatedly. "Of course, my lady. Let me take you to your room."
Zemirah didn't say how many days she'd be staying since she didn't want anyone to know the duration of her stay. As for the Gold Coin just now? A piece of a Common-quality Low-stage Grade 1 talisman she can easily make can be bought for 25 gold coins.
What's more now she can make an Uncommon and Outstanding quality talisman.
So for Zemirah, Gold Coins are easy to earn.
Although her act of using Gold Coins like that may caught the attention of some greedy people, she's sure that powerful cultivators aren't one of them.
The ones that may make a move are just some little fish. She can handle them herself.
Zemirah followed the girl who led her to the second floor where the rooms could be found. She was led to a room in a corner which she appreciated a bit.
"Here's your room, Young Miss. And the key." The girl pointed to the key that was in the door.
Zemirah nodded, "Many thanks."
The girl saw her fox eyes smile at her and blushed. She can't believe that there is such a beauty living in the world.
Just as the girl was about to bid goodbye, Zemirah suddenly remembered something. Thinking of her system's function, she took out a talisman from her space ring.
"Here," She gave the talisman to the girl and went inside the room without waiting for a response.
The girl outside dazedly held the talisman in her hand. Although she's just a mortal, she knows stuff about cultivators.
The talisman in her hand is commonly seen talisman called [Turtle Water Shield]. It was a good thing for mortals but what made her dazed was the quality of the talisman, it was an Outstanding-Quality talisman. Something that can be rarely seen on the market.
Only common and uncommon quality items flowed into the market, while higher quality items were held by the various factions.
She didn't expect this young miss to just give one to a servant mortal like her.
Seeing the talisman in her hand, she knew that this young miss must be treated like a distinguished guest. The servant girl hid the talisman on her sleeves and went to tell her mother and father about this guest and her encounter.
Her family manages this inn for their master who is an official to the government.
The most important rule in serving guests is to identify them and treat everyone with a good attitude. Their master doesn't want his servant to offend someone he can't unintentionally.
--
Inside the room, Zemirah smiled as she heard Sia's voice in her mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 10-fold back and being rewarded with a Supreme-Quality Peak-Stage Grade 1 talisman called [Water Spirit Protection Talisman].
Details: The user will be protected by the water spirit, it can withstand a low-stage Foundation Building attack for at least half an hour.
"Good stuff." Zemirah is happy and took out the newly rewarded talisman.
"Now, I have one more trump card to protect myself." She whispered.
The highest level cultivator in the Town is the Teal River Town Lord and the Town Commander who is in the Middle-Stage and Early-Stage of the Foundation Building Realm.
As for the Demonic Beasts and Spiritual Beasts in the Teal River Forest, it has nothing to do with Zemirah since she doesn't plan to enter the forest in the short term.
"I'll go to a tavern to listen to some news, then buy resources for my cultivation, especially for making talisman." Zemirah nodded to herself.
Then she checked the room first, making sure there are no booby traps before settling down.
When it was time for lunch, she went out of her room. She took a shower and changed her hairstyle before deciding to go out.
She ignored the eyes that followed her figure and went to Teal District where most official establishments resided.
There are many shops, ranging from shops that sell pills and herbs, to treasures like magical artifacts and talismans. She went to a shop that sold materials for making talisman and bought two talisman ink that cost more than a hundred gold coins. One is made from [Blood Ink Tree] and the other is made from the body of [Abyss Tentacle Octopus].
[Blood Ink Tree] will help her in making a talisman that has a wood element and [Abyss Tentacle Octopus Ink] will be helpful for dark and water element talismans.
After that, she heads to Ivor District where most of the crowd went. That place isn't managed by the Town Guards so the products aren't guaranteed to be legit, even conflicts can arise.
Though most people restrain themselves from killing and looting since the Ivor District is still part of the Teal River Town.
One can only rely on their vision.
The difference between Ivor District and Teal District is obvious at a glance. Ivor District is messy and loud while Teal District has order and is guarded by the Town Guards.
"This place is easy to attract trouble, I'll just look for what I need then go to the tavern to collect news," Zemirah said to herself before entering Ivor District.
"Newly hunted [Black Spotted Tiger], the fur is intact and the meat is savory!"
"[Water Snow Lotus] from Blue Frost Summit in Macar Province!"
"Leather made from the skin of [Lava Fire Lizard]!"
Sure enough, what welcomed Zemirah was the loud voices of the peddlers from various stalls.
Zemirah watched the excitement and looked at every stall to see if there was anything that caught her eye.
She saw an argument in the middle of her walk and listened to some words.
"This [Water Snow Lotus] is foraged deep in Blue Frost Summit! It even reached 100 years, so my price is just right!" A man said as he pointed to a blue flower on the table.
"Fart! The petals didn't even reach 10, who are you trying to fool." The other man shouted.
Someone also whispered near Zemirah, "That guy has a good eye, [Water Snow Lotus] grow petals every 10 years. That Snow Lotus only has nine and it didn't look like it came from Blue Frost Summit either."
"You're right, Flowers and Herbs from Blue Frost Summit has a blue shimmer that strengthens the Ice element. That one looks so white without a speck of blue glitter."
Zemirah happily listened as she was in awe of how knowledgeable the people were and how shameless are others.
She then went to other stalls after the [Water Snow Lotus] was bought by the man. The seller looks bitter at how he didn't manage to fool the man but Zemirah feels the seller is actually happy. Maybe he still fooled the man in other ways.
After walking deep into Ivor Street, she finally saw something that caught her eye.
An alchemist who sells some Grade 1 pills for Energy Refinement Realm.
She neared the stall and saw the pill she needed, "Is this Grade 1 [Energy Replenishment Pill] almost Outstanding-quality?" She asked but Zemirah was almost certain.
The lady whose face is covered with a gray mask nodded.
"How many do you have and how much?" Zemirah is ready to buy more for her reserves. She lacks pills for her cultivation, and although it is widely known that spiritual stone is the most beneficial for cultivation, pills can also be used as an alternative.
It was easier to access since Alchemist exists.
"300 gold." The alchemist quoted a price.
Zemirah's mouth twitched as she heard the price, 300 gold for one uncommon-quality pill. So this is the reason alchemists are the richest among the professions of cultivators.
Alchemy products aren't separated by stages which is unique compared to other items like talismans and artifacts. The way they were judged is based on the quality which is why most alchemists pursue the extreme of one kind of pill most of the time which is profitable unlike learning many pills yet the quality is trash.
There are also some pills that exceed restrictions or limitations called Special Pills.
It's obviously a loss since uncommon-quality pills are usually priced at 100 to 250 Gold Coins but Zemirah considered that the pills were near Outstanding-Quality so she nodded, "Give me 10 pills."
The alchemist raised a brow at her before handing her a bottle, Zemirah checked the bottle and saw the goods were right, so she handed a bag where 3,000 gold is in.
The alchemist also checked before nodding.
Zemirah then nodded back and left.
She didn't buy anymore and went back to the inn. As for going to the tavern for news? She forgot.
That night, Zemirah practiced and felt her Dantain being full. She can feel that in a month, she can try advancing to Late-stage of the Energy Refinement Realm.
She can use the [Energy Replenishing Pills] if ever needed in advance. She still has some spiritual stones in her space ring to use but having a backup plan is also good.
"I should buy some books, It's so boring. I have nothing to do besides cultivating and making talismans." Zemirah kind of missed the modern technology on Earth.
That night, Zemirah wondered if she could receive a cell phone from Sia as a reward. Though it was unlikely.
The next day, Zemirah went to a Teahouse. There's a good teahouse in the Town owned by a noble family from the city near Teal River Town.
The teahouse is quite elegant, there is no loud noise but only low whispers from the customers. Zemirah happily went to order a good mortal-grade spiritual tea called [Teal Winter Tea].
The tea is quite good, it is refreshing and cool to the stomach. It was like the cold milk tea in modern Earth but healthier. Zemirah liked it so she bought a few bags of the tea before leaving.
Then she went to another tea house but this teahouse was more noisy. Zemirah has heard more news here so she stayed. The tea she ordered this time was different, it tasted average so she only drank a sip before focusing on listening to others.
"Is it true that two nearby villages were destroyed by Demonic Cultivators?" A thin man asks his friend.
His chubby friend spoke in a loud voice, "It was said there are traces of Demonic Beasts too in the destruction remnants."
"Tsk, did those Demonic Cultivators join hands with the Demonic Beasts from Teal River Forest?"
"I don't know, but the Town Lord has already sent soldiers to investigate. If those Demonic Cultivators really joined hands with the Demonic Beasts, the Town may not be in peace in the next few months."
"It's a good thing for us though, chaos means opportunities." The man laughed.
Zemirah frowned at what she heard. She is quite sensitive to the words Demonic Cultivators these days after knowing this body died at their hands.
Now that two villages were actually destroyed by them, she felt her heart burn in anger.
'Soon, I'll beat those bastard demonic cultivators'. She said in her heart.
After hearing some idle news and gossip, she went out of the tea house. The most frequently heard news is about the two villages.
She can see that Teal District is busier than before. The soldiers are more frequently seen and walk in a hurry.
She wanted to find some books so she passed by a bookstore, that bookstore only had some mortal books. The book about the talisman that she wanted is nowhere to be seen. She only remembered that most cultivation information is monopolized by the bigger factions.
It can only be possible to buy in auctions.
She decided to ask around where she could attend an auction to attend.
The servant girl in the inn happily answered her about the auction. She said that there would be a big auction in Wintea City, the only city in the surrounding area, in six months.
The Teal River Town will also hold a trade auction in Teal Treasure House every end of the month. The end of the month is 3 days from now, so Zemirah still has time to prepare.
"My Outstanding-quality talisman can surely be traded for something good, though it may catch some attention. I'm not afraid though, I even gave one to the servant girl."
Zemirah shrugged and went to make talismans so that she could have enough to trade in three days. She's also thinking if she should randomly gift it so that the system can reward her with something good.
"No, it's too suspicious and others may think I'm a fat sheep to slaughter." Zemirah denied the whimsical idea she just had.
"I need a reason where I can reasonably give gifts, the closer the relationship, the better." She whispered but tossed the thought to the back of her mind.
Anyway, she should make a talisman first. More talisman means more money.
She mostly spends her time cultivating and making talismans like a real cultivator of this world.
That evening, she asked the servant girl that she would be in seclusion and send food every morning, lunch, and dinner. She can also report to her the recent news in the town.
On the first day in the morning, Zemirah gave the servant girl an [Energy Replenishment Pill], the one she just bought from the alchemist in Ivor Street.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 7-fold back and getting a Supreme-Quality Grade 1 [Energy Replenishment Pill].
At lunch, the servant girl received a spiritual fruit after delivering lunch.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 5-fold back and getting a Supreme-Quality Grade 1 [Azure Berry Fruit].
Details: A fruit that is rich in water elements and the main ingredient in making a Grade 1 Special Pill called [Aqua Ring Pill]. A precious pill for healing, it can treat almost all negative damage like burn and frost even some curses.
At dinner, the servant girl happily held a talisman given by the generous beautiful lady. This time, the talisman is an offensive talisman Grade 1 called [Fire Arrow Talisman]. And an Outstanding-Quality one again.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 9-fold back and getting a Supreme-Quality Low-Stage Grade 2 [Flaming Arrow Rain Talisman].
The next day, the servant girl made sure to bring the best breakfast made by her family to the door of the lady. Sure enough, the beautiful lady gave her something again. This time, it's a spiritual flower.
The young miss said, "I'll give you this beautiful flower."
She happily thanked the young miss and asked her mother what is the name of the spiritual flower she had.
The servant girl's mother knew the flower and smiled happily, "This is a [Purity Daisy Flower]. It can dispel evil. You can sell it or hang it around yourself to keep safe from evil."
The servant girl chose to keep the flower, as she thought the same as the young miss, this flower is indeed beautiful.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 10-fold back and getting a Supreme-Quality Grade 2 [Extreme Purity Daisy Flower].
Zemirah happily took out the [Extreme Purity Daisy Flower] that is more beautiful than the flower she reluctantly gave to the servant girl.
This [Extreme Purity Daisy Flower] is a rare flower in the Golden Light Dynasty and can only be found deep in the territory of Spiritual Beasts in Rainbow Mist Mountain Ranges.
It can dispel evil, clear the mind, and emit a good fragrance that cleans the surroundings from filth-like curses and negative emotions.
She felt her mind became clearer that her talisman-making was easier.
"Sia, this is such a good thing. I can't bear to sell it tomorrow in the auction."
Sia made a tutting sound, like speechless with her words.
"So I won't sell it, hehe." Zemirah hehe-d and happily worked on her talisman. She felt that she could try to make a Rare-Quality talisman.
That feeling was faint but she didn't give up. With the goal that Rare-Quality is more precious than Outstanding-Quality, she has endless energy to keep going.
For lunch, the servant girl got a hairpin artifact. The hairpin is only a Common-Quality Low-Stage Grade 1 Defensive Artifact, but it can release a shield when the wearer is in danger so it's quite precious.
The servant girl happily wore the hairpin that Zemirah found after rummaging in her bag.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering an 8-fold back and getting a Supreme-Quality Peak-Stage Grade 1 [Thousand Blooming Flower] Hair Accessory Artifact]
The hairpin is quite long, one look and one may think that thousands of flowers are blooming on it. The flowers are white and pink, it looks like a real flower. Zemirah fixed her hair with the newly got hairpin as she asked, "Sia, what's the function of this hairpin?"
She stared at herself in front of the mirror and saw that she looked like a princess fairy. So beautiful and graceful.
[Ding! [Thousand Blooming Flowers]
Details: The Hair accessory has a basic function like making the owner smell like fresh blooming blossoms. It can also release the flowers in the hairpin as an attack]
Sia sends some images in her mind, some using a thousand flowers as a whip, some like a throwing dagger, and some even using it as a shield to catch small attacks for her.
"This artifact is so good, thank you, Sia!"
[Ding! All the best for the host.]
At dinner, the servant girl received a precious stone. She had heard of it but had never seen one. Her parents knew it was a spiritual stone, so they panicked before deciding to give it to their master.
Their master is a good official and a person, they can rest assured to be compensated and divert the danger of having a treasure yet no power to protect it.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering a 10-fold back and getting (10x) Low-Grade Spiritual Stones.]
"Ai, I thought I could have a Mid-Grade spiritual stone." Zemirah pouted as she complained.
[Ding! The host's relationship with the servant girl is only an acquaintance so the fold back is limited to ten.]