"The Intrusion Talisman. It's designed to alert the user of unauthorized entries or disturbances in a specific area. Very useful for protecting personal spaces or valuable possessions."
"Here we have the Energy Shield Talisman. It creates a temporary protective barrier around the user, warding off minor attacks and harmful influences."
He gestures to another one, "This is the Swift Wind Talisman. It grants a brief burst of speed, ideal for quick escapes or chasing down opponents."
The shopkeeper points to another, "And this one is the Clarity Talisman. It helps to clear the mind, enhancing focus and concentration, especially useful during meditation or complex tasks."
"These are all the talismans I have in stock right now".
Intrigued by the displayed pills, Li Wei turns to the shopkeeper for more information. "What about these?" he inquires, gesturing towards the small collection of pills.
The shopkeeper nods and picks up the first pill. "The Vitality Pill," he begins. "It's designed to restore physical energy. It's quite effective for quick rejuvenation. 1 gold and 50 silver."
"The Blood Essence Pill," he explains, holding up a pill that radiates a subtle energy. "It's used for healing internal injuries, accelerating the recovery process significantly, 1 gold and 20 silver."
"And this is the Detoxification Pill," he says. "It's crucial for expelling toxins from the body, which can be a lifesaver in situations where you're exposed to harmful substances, 1 gold and 80 silver."
"Spending a gold on each pill would deplete my savings," feeling the weight of this financial burden. The thought of parting with such a significant amount for just a few pills makes Li Wei uneasy.
Despite understanding the value these pills could have, Li Wei can't help but feel hesitant. "I need to be practical," he reasons internally.
He looks at the pills again, acknowledging their potential benefits but also recognising the importance of managing his finances wisely. "I can't afford to spend so much on a single item right now, no matter how beneficial it might be," he concludes.
Li Wei clears his throat to get the storekeeper's attention. "Do you have any gauze for bandages?" he asks, looking around the stall for the item.
The storekeeper looks up, scanning his stall. "I don't have gauze, but I do have cloth," he responds, rummaging through his items before pulling out a roll.
Li Wei nods, deciding that the cloth will suffice for his needs. He scans over the other items he's eying up: a pill-rolling board, various talismans, and some manuals.
He turns his attention back to the storekeeper. "What about cultivation techniques? Do you have any manuals?" Li Wei inquires, his tone suggesting he's looking for something specific.
The storekeeper nods and presents a manual titled 'Bone Shot.' "This is arguably the best Qi cultivation technique, it's not cheap compared to the others, 50 silvers," he says.
Li Wei examines the manual. "50 silvers seem a bit steep," he remarks, eyeing the manual while considering its worth.
The storekeeper, recognizing Li Wei's intent to haggle, responds, "It's a powerful technique, well worth the price. But, I'm willing to discuss."
Li Wei places the manual back on the stall. "I need the cloth, that pill-rolling board, Bone Shot, the talisman that enhances Qi flow, and the intrusion talisman," he says, pointing to each item. "What if I take all these together? Could we work out a deal for the lot?"
The storekeeper assesses the items Li Wei points out. "For all these? I could offer a bundle deal... How about 2 gold for everything?"
Li Wei pauses, then counters, "It's more than I was hoping to spend. Could we settle for 1 gold 40 silvers for the entire bundle?"
The storekeeper contemplates the offer for a moment. "Alright, alright, 1 gold 60 silvers it is. Any less, and I won't make a profit."
Li Wei approves and retrieves 1 gold 60 silvers into his pouch. He hands it over to the storekeeper.
Li Wei watches as the shopkeeper begins to prepare his purchases for him. The shopkeeper spreads several sheets of thin paper on the counter. It is a large piece, enough to wrap all the items.
First, he places the Bone Shot manual on the paper. The manual is thin but sturdy. Next to it is the Qi Enhancer Flow talisman. He then adds the pill rolling board. It comprises two segments.
The first segment of the board is a flat, smooth surface with a series of shallow divots evenly spaced across it. These divots are meticulously carved to ensure uniform depth and diameter. They aim to hold the initial mixture of ingredients in place as they begin to take shape.
The second segment of the board is a matching piece designed to fit snugly over the first. This top segment also contains divots aligned perfectly with the bottom segment. When pressed together, the two sets of divots form complete circles.
Lastly, the shopkeeper places the intrusion talisman and cloth roll on top. The talisman is small, its surface inscribed with symbols and characters.
The shopkeeper folds the paper over the items, carefully covering them. He ensures that everything is securely wrapped, adjusting to fit snugly around the items. Once satisfied, he ties a string around the bundle, making a neat bow at the top.
As he hands the wrapped bundle to Li Wei, the shopkeeper looks at him and says, "Thanks for your business. Come back soon." His voice carries a tone of sincerity, a mix of gratitude for the sale and an invitation for future business.
Li Wei takes the bundle, feeling its weight in his hands. He nods at the shopkeeper, acknowledging his thanks.
"Thank you," Li Wei responds. His voice is quiet, reflecting his appreciation.
Li Wei turns away from the stall with the bundle in his hands. He steps back into the market flow, now a bit more crowded as the day progresses. His mind is already on his purchases, planning when and how he will begin to study and use them.
Li Wei stands at the edge of the market, contemplating whether to leave. He pauses, reflecting on the information he has gathered so far. "I've learned a lot today," he thinks, "and there might be more to discover." Deciding to stay, he turns back and walks deeper into the market.
He wanders through the area designated for outer disciples. The stalls here are busy, with disciples and vendors engaged in trade and conversation. Li Wei observes but doesn't find anything particularly new or intriguing. He's now familiar with most of the items on display.
His attention is drawn to a few stalls selling weapons. Each weapon is unique. He sees a long, slender sword with a handle wrapped in dark leather. Beside it, there's a broadsword with a wide blade, looking heavy and formidable. Another stall displays a set of throwing knives, each blade shining under the light, perfectly balanced for throwing.
Although interested, Li Wei decides not to linger. His current focus is enhancing his cultivation and techniques.
He then shifts his focus to the inner disciple stalls. This area is distinctly different. The inner disciples manning the stalls have a confident air about them, and their goods reflect their advanced cultivation.
Li Wei observes from a distance. He doesn't approach immediately, aware of the difference in their cultivation levels and not wanting to seem out of place. He watches fellow disciples engage with the vendors, exchanging items and coins.
As he scanned the stalls, Li Wei noticed one stall at the outer edge of the inner disciple area. It's manned by an inner disciple, but this stall has no customers, unlike the others. The inner disciple behind the stall seems patient, yet there's a hint of resignation in his posture.
Curious about this anomaly, Li Wei edges closer. He observes the stall from a distance. The displayed items are varied.
The inner disciple at the stall occasionally rearranges the items, but his movements lack enthusiasm. The lack of interest from fellow disciples is affecting him.
Li Wei continues to watch. He wonders why this stall lacks customers amidst so many bustling ones. "Is it the items? Or is there another reason?" he ponders. His curiosity grows. He thinks about approaching the stall, contemplating whether he could learn something valuable or find an item of interest at a reasonable price.
"Fuck it, the risks are worth the reward."
After a moment of consideration, Li Wei decides to approach the stall. He walks towards it, his steps measured, his mind open to whatever new information or opportunities this interaction might present.
Li Wei resolves to take a risk. He considers the potential rewards of engaging with the inner disciple at the stall. "If I offer a few gold coins, it might mitigate any offense my presence as an outer disciple might cause," he thinks. Deciding to proceed, he walks confidently towards the stall.
As he approaches, he observes the stall's contents more closely. The items are diverse, some quite intricate, hinting at the advanced level of the inner disciple. Li Wei takes a moment to compose himself before addressing the stall owner.
"Forgive me, Senior," Li Wei begins, respectfully addressing the inner disciple. "This junior seeks advice on cultivating the Dao." He carefully places a gold coin on the counter, ensuring it's visible to the stall owner.
The inner disciple looks up, surprised at first, and then his expression changes to curiosity. The presence of an outer disciple at his stall is unusual, but the gold coin signifies sincerity.