"The second spell is the Golden Light Technique, a top-tier Buddhist defensive spell," the elderly man continued with a smile. "It boasts incredibly strong defense and activates swiftly, emitting a golden light that envelops the user, providing excellent protection against sinister attacks. Its effectiveness is unparalleled against such spells. Its price is also one middle-grade spirit stone. And now, the third spell...."


    The old man presented a total of four spells, all of which were quite impressive.


    Ye Chen couldn''t help but be impressed by the old man''s background. It was no surprise that he had been an outer disciple of Green Cloud Sect. While such roles were usually given to those with no hope of breaking through, being backed by a major sect still made them far more powerful than independent cultivators.


    Of the four spells, Ye Chen was most intrigued by the Sword Finger Technique and the Golden Light Technique.


    However, the old man was praising the technique far too much. According to him, the Sword Finger Technique could seemingly pierce through anything, while the Golden Light Technique was impervious to all attacks.


    Ye Chen almost wanted to ask which would win if the Sword Finger Technique was used against the Golden Light Technique. But that would be a bit too much of a spoil of the fun. It was best not to spoil things for himself.


    After thinking it through, Ye Chen decided that his priority would be to acquire an offensive spell. The Sword Finger Technique was the clear choice. As for the Golden Light Technique, he could always save up spirit stones for it in the future.


    "Senior, can the Sword Finger Technique be a bit cheaper?" Ye Chen pointed to the jade slip containing the technique as he asked.


    Since the deal was happening privately and not at the market price, there had to be some room for negotiation. Ye Chen didn''t have that many spirit stones on him.


    The Green Cloud Shop manager furrowed his brows at Ye Chen''s request. "How much are you willing to offer?"


    Recalling his mother''s bargaining tactics in his past life, Ye Chen immediately cut the price by half. "Fifty lower-grade spirit stones!"


    The old man immediately twitched his mouth, dismissively waving his hand. "Go, go. Take your business elsewhere."


    The old man was no longer interested in selling.


    Ye Chen panicked a little. Had he gone too far with the discount? Was the tactic of halving the price not applicable in the cultivation world?


    "Seventy spirit stones! No, wait—seventy-five!" Ye Chen quickly raised the offer.


    But the old man crossed his arms and glanced at Ye Chen with a look of indifference, as if too lazy to even speak. It was clear he wanted Ye Chen to leave.


    Ye Chen sighed in resignation. "Eighty lower-grade spirit stones. That''s all I have." He then took out all the spirit stones from his robes, showing the old man that he truly had no more.


    The old man looked up, clearly uninterested, and said, "Ninety lower-grade spirit stones, and you can take it."


    Ye Chen immediately felt that the price was non-negotiable. He only had eighty spirit stones. It seemed he would have to wait for another opportunity. Besides, Lin Ke''er probably wouldn''t be heading into the mountains anytime soon. He still had time.


    As Ye Chen began packing up to leave, the old man''s expression shifted slightly. He seemed to realize that Ye Chen might actually only have eighty spirit stones, not trying to pull a fast one.


    After a brief hesitation, the old man spoke again, "Fine, fine. You young cultivators don''t have it easy. Eighty spirit stones it is."


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    Ye Chen''s face broke into a smile, and he quickly laid down the spirit stones, completing the deal.


    The old man, watching Ye Chen''s eagerness, couldn''t help but wonder. This young man didn''t seem like someone who would be so quick to spend all his savings on a spell.


    Had he been tricked?


    "Well, it''s done," the old man muttered inwardly, resigned.


    Once the spirit stones were confirmed, the old man handed the jade slip to Ye Chen. "One-time use. Once you activate it, the slip will shatter."


    Ye Chen nodded and gently touched the jade slip with his brow, activating it. The Sword Finger Technique was indeed inside, accompanied by a brief introduction. However, after reading it, Ye Chen couldn''t help but feel the old man had exaggerated quite a bit.


    The technique allowed one to channel sword qi through the fingertips, and indeed, the speed was astonishing. It also allowed for rapid, consecutive strikes.


    But as for the power? It was average at best.


    The so-called "invading the enemy''s meridians" effect was also lackluster. It was useful, but not much more than that. This technique was best suited for targeting vital points or surprise attacks. In other situations, it would only be adequate. It seemed the old man had been puffing up its merits.


    Ye Chen didn''t activate the jade slip again but instead put it back in his robes.


    The old man, in a good mood, smiled slyly. He had been scammed when he bought the Sword Finger Technique for seventy lower-grade spirit stones. But now, he had sold it for eighty, earning a neat profit of ten spirit stones.


    It was a great deal.


    Thinking that Ye Chen likely still had more money, the old man spoke up. "Young friend, would you like some guidance on your cultivation? Although I haven''t personally trained in it, I was once a disciple of the Green Cloud Sect. I''ve seen much and know quite a bit. If you have any doubts in your cultivation, feel free to ask me. With some guidance, you''ll advance twice as fast and gain results much quicker."


    Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. The old man seemed to have a shred of conscience, perhaps realizing he had taken advantage of someone. But the next moment, Ye Chen realized he had been wrong.


    "Ten lower-grade spirit stones, and I''ll guide you for three days," the old man continued, a glint in his eye.


    Ye Chen''s mouth twitched. Without further hesitation, he stood up and said, "Farewell, Senior."


    This old man was truly obsessed with money. As a manager of Green Cloud Shop, his status was already quite respectable. And considering the private deals he was doing, he was likely swimming in wealth. Yet, even with all that, he was still this greedy.


    "Where''s your cultivator''s dignity?" Ye Chen muttered inwardly.


    But despite his grumbling, he found himself oddly amused by the old man''s greed. After all, this would give him the perfect opportunity to get closer to the old man''s daughter, Sun Ruoxin, who was a perfect match with a compatibility rating of fifteen times.


    ...


    "To gain wealth and honor, one must not forget their roots…."


    "Lady Lin, your future is bright, and when you rise from the mire, please remember your sister."


    "May Lady Lin''s cultivation advance swiftly, breaking through to Foundation Establishment."


    "The mountains are not safe. Please be careful, Lady Lin."


    In the medicinal shop.


    The sky had darkened, and business for the day had come to a close. The workers finished tidying up and said their goodbyes to Lin Ke''er.


    Regardless of what they might think in their hearts, Lin Ke''er, at just twenty years old, had already reached the fourth level of Qi Gathering. Among the loose cultivators, she was undoubtedly a top talent.


    Therefore, they were all eager to speak a few kind words, hoping that, if she ever rose to prominence, they might be able to benefit from it as well. Such things had happened before.


    Lin Ke''er smiled and thanked each one in return, but her mind was preoccupied with Ye Chen. Where had he gone? She had intended to comfort him before leaving, to maintain their connection.


    At this moment, Ye Chen appeared, walking back from the main street.


    "Fellow Daoist Ye, my resignation is solely for the sake of cultivation. Though all gatherings must eventually end, I''ll still be here at Silver Moon Market. We will meet again. I won''t forget your kindness, Fellow Daoist Ye. When I return from my first herb gathering, I will use my first earnings to treat you to a meal at the Starry Sky Pavilion…."


    Lin Ke''er stood before Ye Chen, her expression bright with a smile, speaking warmly.


    Ye Chen nodded, his mind not particularly moved. He wasn''t fooled by the usual sweet words.


    "Sure, I''ll treat you to a meal later." The words felt like a scripted line, the same familiar tone.


    But as much as Ye Chen dismissed her words, his mind was still focused on something else. He was eager to see if this Sword Finger Technique would trigger a critical hit. He had spent eighty lower-grade spirit stones on this technique, and he was very much looking forward to the rewards that would come with it.


    "Fairy Lin''s breakthrough brings me joy," Ye Chen said after a brief pause. "But going into the mountains to gather herbs is a perilous task. So, I''ve specially purchased a spell for you as a gift."


    As soon as Ye Chen finished speaking, both Lin Ke''er and the other shop attendants who were watching froze in shock.


    Ye Chen…. What kind of simp was this?