Shen Long put away the Spirit Stones on the Messaging Array and walked out.
Qin Qing stood at the doorway, his complexion somewhat pale.
He had narrowly escaped death by relying on two first-level spells at the Great Perfection stage.
Upon seeing Shen Long unharmed, Qin Qing was surprised but did not ask further. They went to Qingzhu Courtyard, where Xu Lei and the other three were sitting in the Stone Pavilion, discussing something.
Xu Lei's face was ashen, Xu Wen's right arm had disappeared, and both Sun Yang and Xu Wu looked unwell.
"Taoist Friend Shen, you weren't pursued and killed?"
Sun Yang asked, puzzled.
"I butchered him."
Shen Long said nonchalantly. He thought of something and curiously asked, "Taoist Friend Xu, weren't you being pursued by three Qi Refining Cultivators?"
"I killed one, the Ice Crystal Scorpion also died in the hands of the enemy. It was with great difficulty that I managed to escape. After this battle, we won't be able to go out hunting Monster Beasts for a while. Everyone should focus on healing first. We'll discuss further once our injuries are healed. In the meantime, don't leave the marketplace lightly; Chen Xiong will definitely be watching us."
Xu Lei said, his voice somewhat weak.
The death of his long-accompanied Spirit Insect made him feel profound regret. Without the Ice Crystal Scorpion this time, he would have lost his life.
Shen Long nodded. He had killed members of Chen Xiong's Demon Hunting Team, and Chen Xiong would certainly not let things rest. Inside the marketplace, Chen Xiong and his people didn't dare to take action against him, but outside the marketplace was another matter.
After some idle chat, Shen Long and the others left one after another, leaving Xu Lei and Sun Yang behind.
"His strength is that strong? He actually killed a Qi Refinement sixth layer Cultivator."
Sun Yang said, still puzzled.
"This kid has been hiding his skills. Over the years, he has spent a set time every day to practice his spells. He has surely cultivated several first-level spells to Great Perfection. In terms of sheer determination, there are few Loose Cultivators who can compare."
Xu Lei said.
"That's true. Chen Xiong is a big trouble. We must find a way to get rid of him."
Sun Yang suggested.
"Let's wait until I'm fully recovered. I vow not to rest until this vendetta is settled," Xu Lei's eyes flashed with frost.
Returning to his abode, Shen Long sat cross-legged on the stone bed, pondering how to deal with the current situation.
Having killed members of the Demon Hunting Team that belonged to Chen Xiong, the latter would surely not let him off. He needed to improve his strength as much as possible.
He hadn't been at the Qi Refinement fifth layer for long and wouldn't likely reach the sixth layer soon. He had six Magic Artifacts, but he could only control two at most simultaneously. Therefore, he needed to buy high-powered Talismans for self-defense to be prepared for any eventuality.
It was unclear how long it would take for Xu Lei and the others to recover, and it might be a long time before he could generate any revenue.
Considering the cost of rent plus buying Golden Bead Spirit Rice, he would need at least twenty Spirit Stones a year.
Under such circumstances, he could hardly afford to keep the Snow Winged Ice Centipede. It would be wisest to sell it for a sum of Spirit Stones to enhance his own strength as much as possible.
Having clarified this for himself, Shen Long now had a clear plan for the future.
He silently recited the spell and began cultivating.
As night fell and the lights shone bright within the marketplace, Shen Long stepped out of the stone house and headed toward the Martial Training Garden up on the mountain.
Half an hour later, an ordinary-looking young man in blue clothing left the Martial Training Garden. It was Shen Long, who had changed his appearance.
He strolled the streets leisurely, stopping now and then. After making sure that no one was following him, he finally arrived at the entrance of a nine-story tall green pagoda. The golden characters "Treasure Pavilion" glittered on its signboard. It was the largest shop in the marketplace and was said to be owned by some merchant alliance, unrelated to the Chen Family, Han Family, or Li Family.
Shen Long strode inside. The grand hall of the Treasure Pavilion was much more impressive than that of the Hundred Spirits Pavilion, with a team of green-robed attendants introducing fine goods to customers.
"What can we do for you, Taoist Friend?"
A green-robed attendant approached with quick steps, speaking enthusiastically.
"I'd like to sell something. I heard that your Treasure Pavilion also purchases items."
Shen Long said.
"Please follow me upstairs, Taoist Friend. The seventh floor specializes in purchases."
The green-robed attendant led the way, taking Shen Long to the seventh floor, which contained more than a dozen independent rooms.
Shen Long followed the green-robed attendant into a guest room. The room was small, with a green wooden table and several stools, and in the corner, there was an array about three feet wide.
"Please wait for a moment, Daoist Friend. Someone will come to negotiate with you shortly," said the green-robed attendant before turning and leaving.
It wasn't long before Shen Long sat down that a plump lady in a green dress followed by a yellow-skirted maidservant entered the room. The maidservant brought in a cup of steaming spiritual tea, set it down, and then promptly withdrew, closing the door behind her.
The lady in the green dress directed a spell into the array, resulting in a thick green light curtain appearing over the door.
"I am Lin Yu, Daoist Friend. Please take out the item so that I can appraise and quote a price," she said indolently.
Lin Yu did not expect much from Shen Long, who was merely at the fifth level of Qi Refinement.
Shen Long took out a white wooden box and pushed it towards Lin Yu.
Lin Yu opened the box to see a black centipede about a foot long, with a pair of snow-white thin wings on its back and a pair of white antennae on its head.
"This is a spirit insect that I had quite some difficulty capturing. Madam Lin should be able to recognize what type of spirit insect it is, right?" Shen Long said.
"An Ice Attribute spirit centipede, that is indeed rare," Lin Yu frowned slightly, feeling it strongly resembled one of the spirit insects listed on the Heaven and Earth Exotic Insect List, but she wasn't sure. A mistake here could lead to trouble.
"Would you mind waiting a moment, Daoist Friend? I'll ask Elder Qin to come over. Elder Qin is an expert in this area, would that be alright?" Lin Yu asked politely.
"Make it quick," Shen Long replied, closing the box lid.
Lin Yu bowed slightly, removed the barrier, and walked out the door.
After a while, Lin Yu returned with an energetic old man in a green robe. They closed the door and reactivated the barrier.
"I am Qin Dong. Could you please let the spirit insect out?" asked the old man in the green robe politely.
Shen Long opened the box, and the Snow Winged Ice Centipede flew out, its mouth emitting cold air, rapidly lowering the room's temperature and creating a large expanse of white frost in the air.
The Snow Winged Ice Centipede charged at Qin Dong, who summoned a net shimmering with green light and trapped the centipede.
The Snow Winged Ice Centipede struggled incessantly, spewing out cold air, and the green net started to ice over.
"It truly is the Snow Winged Ice Centipede!" Qin Dong exclaimed with joy.
"Since Daoist Friend Qin recognizes it, please make an offer," said Shen Long.
Qin Dong pondered for a moment and said, "We will offer four hundred spirit stones."
"Only four hundred? Daoist Friend Qin, the Hundred Spirits Pavilion of the Li Family isn't far from here," Shen Long said meaningfully.
"Five hundred, that is the highest offer I can make. After all, it is only at the early stage of the first tier," Qin Dong added another hundred spirit stones.
"Deal. I would like to purchase some powerful talismans. Do you have any recommendations?" Shen Long asked, feeling secretly delighted.
He never imagined that a first-tier early-stage Snow Winged Ice Centipede could sell for such a high price. At the Hundred Spirits Pavilion, the most expensive first-tier early-stage spirit insect was a type going for a hundred spirit stones.
"Lin Yu, I leave it to you to take good care of this Daoist Friend," instructed Qin Dong before leaving with the Snow Winged Ice Centipede.
Lin Yu took out a golden law disk and handed it to Shen Long, speaking enthusiastically, "This is the catalog of talismans from our shop. Daoist Friend, please take your time to choose."