Chapter 131

Another more common method is to use a currency called "spirit stones" to trade for items among cultivators. Net

As the name implies, "spirit stones" are stones filled with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The spiritual energy they contain is an extremely nourishing substance for cultivators.

If one absorbs the spiritual energy within spirit stones while meditating, the speed of cultivation becomes astonishing. After all, it is one thing for a cultivator to absorb and refine scattered spiritual energy, but it is quite another when pure spiritual energy is right beside you, ready to be absorbed and extracted at will.

However, the greatest efficacy of spirit stones does not lie there. Their primary use is in the consumption required for setting up magic arrays and casting spells.

Whether a high-level magic array succeeds and how effective it is often depends on the efficacy of the spirit stones used. Good spirit stones not only ensure the success of the array but also significantly increase its power.

The quantity of spirit stones consumed in casting spells far exceeds their application in magic arrays. Because the level and efficacy of spells a cultivator can cast are generally determined by their own magic power cultivation base, it is unlikely they could cast spells beyond their level relying solely on themselves; thus, spirit stones become the best amplifier for magic power.

If a cultivator can hold a spirit stone while casting a more powerful spell, the spiritual energy within the stone will continuously replenish the magic power consumed during the casting, allowing the caster to forcibly cast spells that would otherwise be impossible to use.

Therefore, spirit stones have become the excellent choice for cultivators to compete and overcome the strong with the weak. They are also the best supplement for immediately recovering one's original strength after a significant loss of magic power, greatly increasing their chances of survival in conflicts.

The many practical and incredible effects of spirit stones naturally caused their value to rise steadily.

But with the massive consumption of spirit stones, their over-extraction, and the increasing scarcity of spirit stone veins, spirit stones have gradually become a precious luxury in today's cultivation world. They have become the best guarantee for transactions among cultivators, the unique circulating currency for cultivators, and a detailed classification of spirit stone specifications and grades has been jointly established.

According to the amount of spiritual power contained, spirit stones are divided into four grades: low-tier spirit stones, mid-tier spirit stones, high-tier spirit stones, and top-tier spirit stones. Furthermore, based on the different attributes of the spiritual power contained, spirit stones can also be divided into five-element spirit stones: metal, wood, water, earth, and fire spirit stones. Additionally, there are some rare attribute spirit stones such as wind and thunder spirit stones, though these are even scarcer.

Han Li did not have even half a piece of such a good thing as a spirit stone.

He considered that he had nothing worth trading, so from the beginning, he held the intention of broadening his horizons. He walked along leisurely, looking here and there.

Although Han Li's appearance was indifferent and composed, many items at these stalls truly made him envious and extremely tempted.

To say nothing else, just take the stacks of blank talisman paper present at every stall! Although these items were very common, they were one of the items Han Li needed most at the moment.

Although Han Li did not yet know what the levels and grades of the talisman paper meant or what the specific differences were, he knew that with his current cultivation, the low-tier beginner talisman paper would certainly be enough for him to use the "Spirit-Fixing Technique."

Therefore, if he could obtain some talisman paper, he could immediately have one more spell to use, increasing his strength by a fraction.

Of course, besides talisman paper, the various dazzling spirit talismans like "Thunder Fire Talisman," "Fire Dragon Talisman," and "Great Strength Talisman" also made Han Li quite tempted.

Han Li even saw a spirit talisman at an inconspicuous stall that was exactly the same as the one he had that could release a golden shield. The price tag next to it was very clear: Vajra Talisman, metal-attribute low-tier mid-grade defensive spirit talisman, worth nine low-tier spirit stones.

After browsing so many stalls, Han Li had gained a certain understanding of the prices of these talismans. A stack of low-tier beginner blank talisman paper could be bought for one low-tier spirit stone, while a finished low-tier beginner talisman sold for one to two low-tier spirit stones, depending on the type of spell.

As for low-tier mid-grade spirit talismans, the price immediately multiplied several times, selling for six to ten spirit stones, and defensive spirit talismans were slightly more expensive than offensive ones.

Since he had the same item, Han Li naturally had to pay attention.

After carefully observing the Vajra Talisman at the stall, he discovered that the spiritual energy of the talisman there was much more abundant than the one in his possession; it was clearly a new, unused product. He estimated that his own worn-out item could sell for at most one-third of their price.

After reaching this conclusion, Han Li gave a bitter smile. It seemed that among these cultivators, he was truly a pauper. He couldn't help but touch the items on his body, and suddenly his heart stirred as he thought of the spirit talisman with the small sword drawn on it in his bosom.

Although he did not yet know the name of that talisman, Han Li believed that its value must certainly be higher than that of the Vajra Talisman.

Thinking of this, Han Li began to pay attention to every stall, keeping an eye out for any spirit talisman identical to the one with the small sword.

But unfortunately, after visiting many stalls, he still did not see a similar item. Instead, at a place surrounded by five or six cultivators, he discovered someone selling a low-tier high-grade spirit talisman.

The sign next to the spirit talisman read: "Flying Talisman," wind-attribute low-tier high-grade flight-type spirit talisman, worth thirty low-tier spirit stones, or exchange for foundation-stabilizing and essence-nourishing pills of equal value.

As soon as Han Li saw this sign, his heart skipped a beat.

One must know, after visiting so many stalls, this was the first high-grade low-tier spirit talisman he had seen. He couldn't help but watch intently; sure enough, the spiritual energy on that talisman was astonishingly rich, incomparable to the low or mid-grade spirit talismans seen before.

"Twenty spirit stones, will you trade?" A barefoot, horse-faced man watching from the side couldn't help but speak up.

The owner of this stall was a lean, capable youth wearing a straw hat. He pointed to the sign with his finger and ignored the man.

"It's just a flight talisman, not an offensive or defensive spirit talisman; twenty stones is not a small amount!" the horse-faced man said, unwilling to give up.

"Hmph! If it were really an offensive or defensive spirit talisman, would I sell it for only thirty? Without fifty, I wouldn't even let you take a look! If you want to take advantage, go somewhere else! You're not welcome here." The youth finally spoke coldly, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he made the man's face turn red with anger.

"Good kid! I, Ye Bao of Qin Yeling, will remember you. If you have the guts, let's have a proper spar after the assembly ends." The horse-faced man said in a fit of rage.

"Qin Yeling?" Han Li had originally been watching happily from the side, but upon hearing this place name, he was startled.

"Isn't that the place the dwarf he killed said he was from? Although I don't know if what the dwarf said was true or false, since this man claims to be from the Ye family, I'd better be careful!"

Thinking of this, Han Li subconsciously retreated a few steps, quietly left the place, and went to the next stall. However, the words on the sign about exchanging for foundation-stabilizing and essence-nourishing pills were kept in his mind.

He remembered that he still had quite a few unused "Yellow Dragon Pills" and "Gold Marrow Pills." He wondered if they met the youth's requirements. He would ask when there were fewer people! If it really could succeed, he would have some capital to exchange for the items he needed.

As Han Li pondered this, he looked back at the youth's stall, only to find that Ye Bao was no longer there; he didn't know where he had gone. Among the remaining few people, another person took out a bottle and handed it to the youth.

The youth opened the bottle, sniffed it, shook his head lightly, and returned the bottle to its owner. The original owner of the bottle had to leave with a look of regret, and the other few people seemed to be with him, so they followed and left. Now, there was no one in front of the stall.

Seeing this, Han Li was secretly delighted and walked slowly back to the youth's stall. The youth saw it was Han Li and was slightly stunned, clearly recognizing him as someone who had just visited once.

Han Li didn't care and smiled at the youth, saying:

"I have two types of medicine; see if they meet your requirements?"

After speaking, he took out two small porcelain bottles, one green and one blue, and placed them in front of the person.

The youth didn't talk nonsense, reached out to take the two bottles, and opened the lids one by one. Then he brought his nose close to the bottle mouths, sniffed them hard, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

After the youth pondered for a moment, he did not reply immediately but gently placed the porcelain bottles back in front of Han Li.

"How is it?" Han Li blinked and asked.

"To be honest, the pills in your two bottles are slightly better than what the previous people showed me, but for me, they are still not quite enough." The youth hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and refusing.

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