Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

The trading market of Dongwu Stockade is right next to the City Lord's Mansion.

In this loose cultivator city fortress, Dongwu City Lord's Mansion is considered the only "official agency," and only the Purple Mansion Superior dared to hang such a sign. If it were a Qi Cultivator of Great Perfection, they really wouldn't have the confidence to do so.

Because it is adjacent to the City Lord's Mansion, the trading market is very safe, and one can see fully armed battle cultivators patrolling within.

These battle cultivators are either family members or retainers of the master of Dongwu, Xin Han, well-equipped and loyal, usually responsible for the security of Dongwu Stockade and also tasked with eradicating evil wraiths.

Unlike the established cities with Expel Evil magical treasures like the Fixed Sun Bell, this loose cultivator's stockade often suffers from invasions of evil wraiths, or cultivators possessed by them causing trouble.

Without proper precautions, the entire stockade can face destruction, and there were several precedents!

For a loose cultivator stockade, the greatest threat is none other than evil wraiths.

When Wang Chen arrived at the market, there were already over a hundred stalls set up, bustling with people coming and going.

The stall owners sold a wide range of items, but most were of low value, even trivial things like needles and thread; many cultivators put out odd and bizarre things to scam people, taking advantage of whoever they could.

Actually, most people come here mainly to purchase or exchange necessities of life, as well as things like pills and talismans.

Very few came to hunt for treasures and bargains.

One cannot randomly set up a stall in the trading market; there are special people in charge of management and collecting fees.

After paying a rental fee of one Low Spirit Stone, Wang Chen got an old and tattered stand.

A Low Spirit Stone is the rent for setting up a half-day stall here!

Don't underestimate the value of a Low Spirit Stone; keep in mind that there can be at least a hundred or two hundred stalls here, and the combined rental fees are quite substantial.

And all these rent payments go straight to the City Lord's Mansion!

Today is a "small market day" at Dongwu Stockade, and those regular stall owners have already taken up the best spots.

Coming late, Wang Chen had to set up his stand in a corner.

But he had previously set up a street stall at the Cloud Sun Sect, so he had some understanding of the tricks, and immediately displayed stacks of talismans neatly arranged.

He then hung up a sign he had prepared.

The sign read: One Low Spirit Stone per piece, pick as you like, no bargaining, buying Vajra Ghee at high prices!

The talismans Wang Chen put on sale were all the most common and practical first-tier magical talismans, such as Evil-Repelling Talismans, Amulets, Armor and Horse Talismans, Meteor Fire Talismans, etc.

The price of one Low Spirit Stone was the standard market price. Though in a loose cultivator city fortress, one would normally expect a discount; however, the quality of his crafted talismans was not to be compared with ordinary products.

Of course, even good wine needs to be advertised lest it remains in the shadows, and to run a thriving business, it is essential to advertise.

Wang Chen flicked out an Evil-Repelling Talisman with a snap of his fingers.

A glow of spiritual light burst in front of his stall, dispersing into countless points of starlight that floated down.

Among the passing cultivators, many knew their goods, and soon some gathered around.

"Fellow Daoist, may I examine it closely?" asked a cultivator.

Without answering, Wang Chen pointed a finger, and an Evil-Repelling Talisman instantly flew up, hovering in front of the other person.

The cultivator carefully examined the talisman and then asked, "Fellow Daoist, can I get a discount if I buy several pieces?"

Wang Chen pointed at his sign.

No bargaining!

The talismans he personally crafted, even if he hadn't used his full strength, still outperformed countless talisman makers.

The quality of the talismans was evident, with one Low Spirit Stone already being a discount price.

Giving a further discount was, of course, out of the question!

Seeing Wang Chen's firm attitude, the cultivator felt somewhat displeased and his face turned gloomy.

But a glance from Wang Chen caused him to shiver, and he quickly squeezed out a smile: "I'll take ten."

The cultivator laid down ten Low Spirits and hurriedly left with ten Magical Talismans.

Thus, Wang Chen's business was open for customers, and buyers streamed in continuously.

At this time, the difference between Loose Cultivators and sect cultivators became evident. Aside from the first customer who bought ten at once, the rest purchased no more than three to five, with some buying only one or two.

And many paid with Fragmented Spirit Stones.

The Evil-Repelling Talisman and the Amulet were the bestsellers, revealing the most practical needs of the Loose Cultivators.

However, even though the talismans were selling well, Wang Chen wasn't too delighted.

Currently, he wasn't lacking in Spirit Stones, the main purpose of setting up his stall was to acquire Vajra Ghee.

As a result, even after selling most of his talismans, no one inquired about anything related to the Vajra Ghee.

Wang Chen was helpless.

Ever since Myriad Treasures Pavilion and Four Seas Commerce Association absconded, he lost his source for cultivation materials, and now he was here in hope of finding some by chance.

It seemed that the hope of acquiring any was quite slim.

If it really came down to it, then he would have to look for other alternatives.

The Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method belonged to Body Refinement techniques, and refining the body required the support of Spiritual Medicine and Spirit Food to strengthen and bolster the body; otherwise, the effect would be significantly reduced, or it might even damage the foundation.

Therefore, if Vajra Ghee or other suitable substitutes were not available, Wang Chen wouldn't be able to continue practicing this technique.

Last time, he managed to stand against Cao Chengping and slay this veteran Purple Mansion Cultivator largely because of his impeccable Vajra body.

For self-preservation and to face the upcoming catastrophe, he definitely needed to cultivate the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method to higher levels!

However, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

From morning until the afternoon, Wang Chen sold all the talismans he brought, and no one came selling Vajra Ghee.

There were a few cultivators who sneakily inquired about certain things, only to be sent away by him outright.

Undeterred, Wang Chen simply paid another Low Spirit to extend his stall time till the evening.

Since his Five Elements Skill could be practiced in daily life, even sitting idly here wouldn't be a waste of time.

Perhaps perseverance would pay off.

When the moon climbed above the treetops, as Wang Chen was preparing to pack up for the night, a woman hesitantly approached and asked softly, "Fellow Daoist, are you buying Vajra Ghee to practice the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method?"

Wang Chen nodded, "Yes."

This was no secret, so there was no need for concealment.

The woman appeared to be in her early twenties, her cultivation level at the fourth tier of Qi Cultivation; she was quite pretty, but had a broad-shouldered and stout figure with thick limbs and bulging muscles, indicating she practiced some sort of Body Refinement technique.

A thought occurred to Wang Chen, "Do you have it? I will pay a high price to buy it!"

"I don't have Vajra Ghee,"

She shook her head and replied, "But I have a family-inherited recipe for Dragon Tiger Strong Soul Soup, which also has considerable effects for practicing the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method."

She intended to sell the soup recipe?

Wang Chen had never heard of Dragon Tiger Strong Soul Soup before and couldn't discern its authenticity.

He asked with interest, "Then how do I know if your soup recipe is real or fake?"

"That's easy,"

The stout woman straightforwardly said, "I can prepare a portion for you right here. After you try it, you'll know!"

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