```
If the Heavenly Dao hadn't interrupted him by forcefully gifting him the "Heavenly Dao Foundation," he definitely wouldn't have stopped after earning just that small amount. After all, something like the "Heavenly Dao Foundation" can't be bought with Spirit Stones.
It's hard to say whether he made a profit or a loss.
For instance, right now, as he was strolling on the main road, the Heavenly Dao Foundation within him was slowly rotating, automatically absorbing the Spiritual Energy from the air around him to gradually improve his Cultivation Progress.
Although the speed was indeed a bit slow, it didn't require him to close his eyes and meditate on his mental method, effectively allowing him to cultivate on autopilot.
The concentration of Spiritual Energy in the Wentian Mountain Range wasn't particularly rich, which should actually be considered common knowledge in the Cultivation World. Generally, places with rich Spiritual Energy were either Forbidden Lands or had already been claimed by major families and sects.
It was unlikely for a marketplace to be situated in a place with rich Spiritual Energy.
...
"First, I'll change clothes."
Chen Qiu had wanted to change out of the clothes that Fat Long had given him, which didn't fit at all – they were too loose, giving him a somewhat sloppy appearance.
When the two of them walked out of a shop, they were completely transformed.
They bought eight sets.
All of them were made from high-quality material.
One set cost two Spirit Stones, totaling sixteen Spirit Stones spent. Each of them took two sets, and they also brought along two sets for the scholar brothers.
In reality, even the best materials were still mere mortal items and weren't worth this price. However, each garment had a mini "dust prevention array" embroidered with "golden silk thread."
The function was very simple – it prevented the clothes from getting dusty.
Beyond that, they had no other use.
"Without this dust prevention array, these clothes would be worth at most 10 Silver!"
Fat Long looked down and cautiously stroked the fabric of his new clothes, grumbling discontentedly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up; he really liked the material and workmanship. The design of the black and red robe suited his aesthetic very well, making even his big belly look imposing. The only issue was the excessive price.
And it wasn't very convenient for fighting.
The damn shopkeeper even told him that people who buy this kind of clothes usually don't get involved in fights themselves.
But he couldn't deny... it did look good.
Chen Qiu chuckled softly without saying a word. He had picked out a green robe for himself and, walking around the ancient town after the rain, he felt as though he had stepped out of an ink painting. He found the dust prevention quite necessary – it could keep blood from staining his clothes.
He also bought for himself a quite expensive Jade Feather Fan, worth a whole Spirit Stone.
With a flick of his hand.
Tsk, it felt really good, much more comfortable than chopping wood.
...
Continue to the next shop.
"Shopkeeper, come out and serve your customers!"
"Do you have any Sound Transmission Talismans? What's the price?"
Fat Long strode into "Zhao's Commerce," the shop they had visited a few days before, and called out confidently. It had to be said, though the clothes were a bit overpriced, wearing them somehow boosted his confidence significantly.
Having crossed over five months ago, he hadn't felt this arrogant in a long time.
Tsk, this feeling is really satisfying, much better than being a supplement in the Flower Offering Sect.
The shopkeeper who attended to them was the same one as last time. Hearing the loud calls, he hurriedly came out from behind the counter, slightly stunned when he saw Fat Long and the others, recognizing them as the two who had bought the Mid-grade Heavenly Dao Retrospective Talisman a few days ago.
Although he was somewhat surprised, he still maintained a warm smile, "Of course we have them. Zhao's Commerce has stores throughout the whole Da Xia Country, and a must-have item like the Sound Transmission Talisman is certainly available."
"Come this way, please."
The shopkeeper led them to a corner of the shop. "These are Low-grade Sound Transmission Talismans, one Mother Talisman with seven Child Talismans, for use within ten miles. It costs one Spirit Stone and the Spiritual Energy within the talisman lasts for one year."
"Next to it is the Mid-grade Sound Transmission Talisman, one Mother Talisman with fifty Child Talismans, for use within a hundred miles. The price is fifty Spirit Stones. This is generally for families or smaller sects."
"The one on the top is the High-grade Sound Transmission Talisman, one Mother Talisman with three hundred Child Talismans, for use within three hundred miles. The price is three hundred Spirit Stones."
The shopkeeper with slightly graying temples paused for a moment before tentatively saying, "High-grade Sound Transmission Talismans are usually used by sects with significant power to recall disciples who are traveling outside or to issue tasks."
"All these Sound Transmission Talismans can be used for one year, after which you need to purchase them again."
"Which type would the sirs like?"
"How about that one? How much is it sold for?"
Chen Qiu's eyes turned toward the ring displayed at the top shelf of the stand, carefully placed in a half-open Jade Box. Next to the box was an information card displaying the name of the ring.
```
"Sound Transmission Ring."
"This?"
The shopkeeper carefully took down the box and presented it to the two, explaining, "This is the Sound Transmission Ring, which is more convenient to use than the Sound Transmission Talisman, whether in terms of transmission speed or distance, it far surpasses the talisman."
"It's made by dividing a piece of extremely rare material, the 'Mother-child Stone,' into several pieces: one Mother Ring and ten Child Rings."
"Moreover, it can not only transmit sound but also images. It's generally used by the core True Disciples of the Major Sects or the legitimate offspring of major families."
"The price for a set is 1000 Spirit Stones."
"There's no limit to its use. As long as it's not destroyed in battle or lost, it can be used indefinitely."
"Hmm."
Chen Qiu nodded slightly. Although he didn't speak, it was clear that he favored the Sound Transmission Ring. Not to mention anything else, but in the midst of battle, speaking into a ring would definitely be much more convenient and faster than fishing out a Sound Transmission Talisman from one's bosom.
The price was a bit expensive, but since it could be used permanently, it was worth it.
"Wrap this up for me, we'll settle the bill together later."
He glanced around, "Do you have any talismans or the like? Ones for preserving life, attacking, or perhaps for accelerating cultivation?"
"Yes, yes, of course!"
Even though the shopkeeper, who had white hair at his temples, had seen much of the world and was very knowledgeable, his cloudy eyes nevertheless shone with a keen light. Anyone who could afford the 'Sound Transmission Ring' was surely the son of some major power, and the fact that he had come to buy it himself, without any family accompanying him, indicated that his authority was already considerable, capable of standing on his own.
The power behind him must be significant. The Sound Transmission Ring had been on display in this shop for over a decade and wasn't really intended to be sold because no local force within a hundred miles could afford such a thing.
It was displayed here simply to demonstrate the strength of Zhao's Commerce and to show that the price of the few Sound Transmission Talismans below was actually not expensive.
He had encountered such sons of privilege in the Capital before, buying up talismans as if they were ordering wholesale for a business.
It could be a big deal!
"Right—"
Suddenly, something occurred to the shopkeeper. He pulled out two invitations and a list of auction items and handed them over: "There's an annual auction event tonight at Wentian Marketplace. Many items are prepared for this year, and here are two reserved invitations. Would you be interested?"
"Oh?"
Chen Qiu took the list of auction items, and initially, he just skimmed it, but his gaze was quickly captured by an entry: "You're actually auctioning off an entry at your auction event?"
'Entry Name': Self-extinguishing root.
'Entry Level': Green.
'Entry Effect': Self-extinguish One Bull to acquire a random white or green entry, the more you have, the more random entries you'll receive.
"Of course."
Pride written all over his face, the shopkeeper said, "After all, it's the annual auction event of Wentian Marketplace. Many of the items indeed come from our Zhao's Commerce. This entry is also from our Zhao's Commerce. We have branches all over Da Xia Country."
Chen Qiu had a rather strange look as he turned his head to glance at Fat Long.
"Brother Qiu."
With an expressionless face, Fat Long spoke word by word, "There are strangers here; save me some face. If it's private, we'll talk later."
The shopkeeper, who was about to continue introducing his wares, suddenly looked cloudy-eyed and walked to a set of shelves, muttering, "How come there's dust here that hasn't been cleaned? I'll wipe it off."
After the shopkeeper left.
With a serious expression, Fat Long turned to Chen Qiu, "Brother Qiu, you once said I was your benefactor. I don't think this behavior quite matches repaying a drop of kindness with a gush of gratitude. What do you think?"
"Don't overthink it."
After a slight cough, Chen Qiu spoke in a low voice, "I know, I just thought you might want it. Since you don't, then forget it."
"But... aren't you going to think about it? There are nine random entries there."
"Not everybody has this opportunity like you do."
"Why not buy it first, and if you need it later, we can use it then?"
..
PS: Those who are keeping up with this book at midnight today without any mishap are likely to be single, maybe you're already lying in bed, with the phone plugged into the charger, lights off, ready to sleep.
I feel sorry for you.
Giving out 200 red packets of 0.52 to let you also have your own 520, search 'Xin Ge's 520' in Alipay for the red packet password.
Those who are working in the fields, please be safe, and thank you for your hard work.