Chereads / Cultivation Starts With Selling Talent / Chapter 2 - Talent Trading

Chapter 2 - Talent Trading

[System has been linked with the host]

[Host must choose one primary trading ability]

[Option 1: Lifespan Trading]

[Option 2: Technology Trading]

[Option 3: Talent Trading]

"What's going on here? I've never encountered such a situation in the webnovels I've read," Jun mused. A seasoned webnovel enthusiast, he found himself in a scenario unlike any he had come across before.

He contemplated the three presented choices. Each option's name hinted at its unique benefits.

[Lifespan Trading] stood out as an alluring prospect, offering the potential for immortality and the ability to trade lifespans with others.

Yet, Jun couldn't ignore the fact that he was now in a cultivation world, where long lifespans were the norm. The practicality of this option seemed questionable in such a setting.

Upon further consideration, Jun found [Technology Trading] less appealing due to the availability of local researchers capable of replicating his technological knowledge.

In this world, where hiring wisdom cultivators could reproduce advanced technology, the practicality of this option diminished.

His attention shifted to the more compelling [Talent Trading], the third ability. This option addressed the cultivation world's significant challenge – the scarcity of extraordinary talents like Spiritual roots, Sword heart, Supreme Insight, and others.

Locating these talents was a daunting task for the realm's top forces, and many cultivators dreamed of acquiring such gifts to ascend in their cultivation journey.

The third ability emerged as the optimal choice, offering the potential to alleviate the world's talent shortage.

Jun recognized its significance, especially considering the struggles faced by the previous host in overcoming the lack of exceptional talents. 

"It's decided then. I choose the third ability, talent trading," Jun declared with a wide smile, eager to uncover the possibilities that lay ahead.

[Host has gained the "Talent Trading" ability]

[Host has been given the Starter pack for newbies]

Curiosity piqued, Jun pondered the meaning of the "Starter pack" as a wooden box materialized before him. Without hesitation, he opened it.

[Mortal grade medium-level talent "Talisman apprentice" has been acquired]

[Mortal grade high-level talent "Beast tamer apprentice" has been acquired]

[+1 attribute point has been acquired]

"Talisman apprentice? Beast tamer apprentice? What kind of talents are these?" Jun wondered aloud as two scrolls materialized – one for [Talisman apprentice] and another for [Beast-tamer apprentice].

Driven by his curiosity, Jun decided to open the scroll of [Beast tamer apprentice]. 

[Does the host want to use the "Beast tamer apprentice" talent scroll?]

"No," Jun decided, opting not to gain another mortal grade talent, considering the limitations posed by his existing one.

He delved into the description of the [Beast-tamer apprentice talent]:

[Beast-tamer apprentice (Mortal grade high-level): Beast taming aptitude increases by three times. This talent grants you the ability to tame spiritual beasts up to the third rank. It is limited to third-grade Beast taming and won't assist you in reaching the fourth grade. (Price: 30 years of cultivation)]

Similarly, the [Talisman apprentice talent] had its own set of details:

[Talisman apprentice (Mortal grade medium-level):Talisman crafting aptitude increases by three times. This talent allows you to reach up to the third level of talisman crafting. It cannot exceed the third level of talisman crafting. (Price: 20 years of cultivation)]

In the vast world of cultivation, diverse professions existed among cultivators, including Beast tamers, alchemists, wisdom cultivators, martial cultivators, formation masters, and more. 

In this cultivation realm, the various professions were categorized into nine grades, ranging from the lowest first grade to the highest ninth grade.

Those in the first to third grades were termed apprentices, the fourth to sixth were called masters, and the seventh to ninth were referred to as grandmasters.

Reflecting on the previous host's experiences, Jun discovered that he was a wisdom cultivator, driven by a high level of comprehension. 

Wisdom cultivators, despite not possessing boundless wisdom, excelled in understanding and enhancing techniques and artifacts within the cultivation world.

Essentially, they played the role of scientists in this mystical realm.

Jun sighed as he delved deeper into the memories of the former host. "This Jun could have achieved so much with his comprehension alone, if not for the fact that he only had mortal grade medium-level spiritual roots. Well, at least his spiritual roots are of unique elements." 

The potential of the previous host had been constrained by the limitations of his spiritual roots, despite possessing a remarkable understanding of the cultivation arts.

Jun possessed dual elemental ice and gold spiritual roots, both classified as mortal grade medium-level spiritual roots. 

In the expansive realm of cultivation, encompassing mortal and immortal worlds, diverse rankings for professions and talents were established.

The Immortal Order introduced a comprehensive ranking system to determine the hierarchy of talents across these worlds.

Talents were classified into seven grades: Inferior, Mortal, Earth, Heaven, Transcendent, Supreme, and Divine.

Inferior marked the lowest grade, while Divine stood as the highest. Each grade is further delineated into low, medium, and high levels.

Jun was astounded contemplating the intricacies of the vast cultivation world.

With over a thousand immortal realms and countless mortal worlds, the complexity of this universe unfolded before him. 

Positioned in a mortal world that held an upper rank in the Mortal World Rankings, Jun heaved a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Jun hadn't found himself banished to the weakest world in the weakest universe, in the weakest dimension.

"Hm, leaving the matter of this world aside, what is this system really capable of?" Jun scratched his chin, contemplating the potential of the newly acquired system.

[The system's main function is to sell talents in exchange for the cultivation of customers. Cultivation gained from customers could be used to exchange for various items, cultivation manuals, artifacts, and various other items. The host can exchange for talents by completing achievements.]

"I see now, so it's like this," Jun exclaimed, excitement bubbling within him as he prepared to embark on his journey with this unexpected system at his disposal.

Without further delay, he delved into the [Achievement] section the system mentioned. "This achievement section is interesting. I can actually receive talents from completing these achievements, like those missions in games." Once again, Jun found himself marveling at the parallels between his current situation and the webnovels and webtoons he had immersed himself in during his past life.

As Jun contemplated the uncanny similarities between his current situation and the transmigration stories he had read, questions filled his mind. 'Were these authors who wrote those transmigration stories victims of these transmigration events themselves, or is the one who transmigrated me here the one who stole the idea from these novels?'

Interrupting his musings, a young boy's voice rang out, saying, "Hello, is anyone inside?"

"Someone's here?" Jun set aside his thoughts and approached to see who was calling.

A boy, dressed in tattered clothing, stood before him, carrying a basket of fragrant herbs.

The boy looked at Jun with eyes full of reverence, evidently here to sell herbs and witness the rumored newcomer banished from the Immortal world.

"Greetings, I am Li Wei. Adults usually call me Little Wei. I heard you are going to open a new shop here. Is that true?" Little Wei's innocent expression and eyes sparkling with anticipation revealed his curiosity about the newcomer and the prospect of a new shop in the vicinity.

"Nice to meet you, Little Wei. I'm Wu Jun, and yes, I am going to open a shop for cultivators here," Jun explained, chuckling at Little Wei's innocent expression, finding amusement in the interaction.

"Really? Do you have a supplier for herbs to sell?" Little Wei's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Supplier? No, I don't think I have a supplier for herbs," Jun replied.

Little Wei's expression shifted, "That's ama... I mean, that must be a problem if you want to open a shop for cultivators."

Jun chuckled, finding joy in Little Wei's response. "Yes, that is a problem for me. Why don't you help me solve it, Little Wei?" Jun played along with the innocent act.

Immediately, Little Wei placed the basket he was carrying in front of Jun and started explaining various herbs with enthusiasm. "This herb is called Red Fire Ginseng; it's used to cure yin poison. This one is called Green Spirit Herb, used for concocting Foundation Establishment pill..." Little Wei continued his detailed explanations, and Jun listened with a smile on his face, appreciating Little Wei's knowledge and eagerness to help.

"So, what do you think about these herbs, Shop Owner Jun?" Little Wei's address brought a smile to Jun's face, appreciating the straightforward title over flattering ones like "banished immortal."

"I think these herbs would be a good addition to the products for my new shop," Jun replied.

"Really?" Little Wei's eyes lit up with elation.

"Of course. Just tell me how much all these herbs cost." 

"It will be 7 spirit stones for all these herbs."

"7? That's nearly equal to the rent for two years of this shophouse," Jun hesitated, considering his limited resources after investing in a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm.

"Shop Owner Jun, you must be kidding. This shop of yours is outside the main city and is a little dangerous. Only a person like you, someone who descended from the immortal world, would be able to scare away those thieves and bandits," Little Wei reassured, emphasizing the value of Jun's presence in the area.

What Little Wei said made sense. Cultivators in this world were hesitant to confront those suspected to have formidable trump cards, especially individuals like Jun who had descended from the Immortal World.

However, little did they know that Jun possessed nothing more than his space ring containing 22 spirit stones.

"That's true. It's actually my first time buying herbs, and I am a little new to this world. That's why I don't know the prices of various things here. Would you be so kind as to tell me about the customs and market prices of products here? I will buy herbs from you if you are willing to do this favor for me."

"That's easy. Don't go back on your words after I finish explaining," Little Wei's eyes lit up as he eagerly began to detail the customs in the mortal world and the market prices of the products sold in the area.