After more than a month, Long Xuan returned to the market again, but this time he was no longer a buyer but a proud stall owner.
Long Xuan concealed his face beneath a broad hat. He found a spot, laid out a white cloth, and arranged nine insect jars containing Resilient Roach Gu on it.
Next to the display, he set up a makeshift folding chair and settled into it.
Then, he pondered over the pricing of the Resilient Roach Gu. It's important to note that in this world, currency is not standardized.
Spirit stones can only be used for exchanging cheap materials; expensive items require bartering. Thus, they aren't a universal currency.
Due to their irregular shapes and varying spiritual concentrations, spirit stones can't serve as a uniform currency. They're used more for barter than as money, making them unsuitable for priceless items.
Prices for various materials fluctuate and are set through negotiation, not fixed universally. Stall owners like Long Xuan have considerable pricing freedom.
Considering the novelty of his new product, Long Xuan decided to set an initial price of 300 spirit stones for the Resilient Roach Gu, planning to raise it as word spread.
Of course, the spirit stones must meet certain quality standards—not too depleted or too small.
Initially, his stall seemed modest, but Long Xuan knew it would grow more prosperous over time.
He displayed a sign detailing the effects and price of the Resilient Roach Gu, eagerly awaiting his first customer.
His presence immediately attracted other stall owners' attention. One nearby, an energetic old man, scrutinized Long Xuan's wares and commented:
"Low-grade Gu worms? Quality trumps quantity when it comes to Gu worms. Weak low-grade ones don't sell well."
"Moreover, you're dealing with Resilient Roach Gu, not the coveted Five Poisons, making them even less desirable."
"There are plenty of casual cultivators peddling medium-grade Gu worms here, and even three selling unique high-grade ones."
"Low-grade unique Gu worms are a dime a dozen. Your offerings won't stand out."
"No worries! A good product speaks for itself. I can move inventory as long as there are buyers," Long Xuan confidently retorted.
He had full faith in the Gu worms he'd researched.
Li Laodao shrugged off Long Xuan's confidence, skeptical that such a young kid could develop powerful Gu worms.
Though Long Xuan's signage boasted impressive effects, Li Laodao dismissed them as exaggerations.
How could a low-grade Gu worm possess such formidable defensive capabilities? It seemed implausible.
Before he could respond, Long Xuan's first customer approached, prompting Li Laodao to tactfully close his mouth.
Li Erniu examined one of the Gu jars, scrutinizing the Gu worm inside and reading the sign with a surprised expression.
He'd never encountered this type of Gu worm before; it appeared to be a newly discovered species.
The introduction of new Gu worms always piqued curiosity—whether they were exceptionally potent, weak, or possessed unusual abilities.
However, since they hadn't been tested in combat, few dared to be the first to try them.
Yet, the advantage lay in the unknown. Possessing a Gu insect your enemies couldn't anticipate often spelled victory.
Li Erniu, intrigued, turned to Long Xuan and inquired, "Can your Resilient Roach Gu make one invincible? Is that true?"
"No, not at all," Long Xuan waved dismissively.
"I've clearly stated it won't protect against every attack from its level. It's still a low-grade Gu worm, vulnerable in numerous ways."
"For instance, if a sword pierces your heart, Resilient Roach Gu won't save you from being cut to pieces."
"It's not yet capable of instantly regenerating your heart."
"However, as Resilient Roach Gu matures, its resilience against damage will improve."
"Resilient Roach Gu's greatest advantage lies in its ability to consume anything—paper, leather, cotton, even sawdust. Food supply is never a concern."
Li Erniu's eyes lit up at the practical benefits.
Gu worms were valuable, often with picky dietary habits that could bankrupt a wealthy cultivator.
Not being choosy about food was a significant advantage.
"Not bad at all. Despite being low-grade, claiming invincibility would be a stretch," he remarked.
"I'll take this Resilient Roach Gu. Three medium-grade spirit stones, and they're yours."
Li Erniu placed three high-quality medium-grade spirit stones on the stall and departed with the Gu jar in hand, wordlessly sealing the deal.
One medium-grade spirit stone equaled one hundred low-grade ones. Given his limited storage, Long Xuan preferred medium-grade stones.
The opening sale was a success. Long Xuan cheerfully pocketed the three medium-grade spirit stones and called out casually, "Don't pass by without taking a look. Come see the top-quality Resilient Roach Gu. You won't regret buying it..."
Seeing no further customers, Long Xuan turned to the elderly stall owner beside him, considering pitching his product to fellow traders.
"Old man, you've seen what Resilient Roach Gu can do. Aging takes its toll on your legs; this is a reliable insurance."
"Fate brought us together. As a neighbor, I'll give you a discount—299 spirit stones."
Taoist Li harrumphed, glaring at Long Xuan, "You rascal, you nearly fooled me."
"I doubt your Resilient Roach Gu truly has this capability. Still, its defensive potential is quite daunting."
"Do you comprehend its combat effectiveness? It can effectively exchange injuries with your foe, doubling your combat prowess."
"This isn't a skill typical of low-grade Gu worms. If Resilient Roach Gu truly possesses such power, I'd prefer it over a medium-grade one."