Chapter 9: Longevity Technique, Great Achievement!

Xiao Zhangqing didn't haggle slowly; he went straight to the point and cut it down to one percent.

The stall owner was stunned at the time.

He had expected that Xiao Zhangqing would definitely not obediently hand over five low‑grade Spirit Stones and would bargain.

He could anyway pull back and forth, grind slowly, and didn't care.

Even if the final transaction price were halved, then halved again, he could still accept it and still make a big profit.

But Xiao Zhangqing is way too unfilial! How can one bargain straight down to one percent?

"You're here to pick a fight, aren't you?"

The owner heard that and immediately got angry.

"I think, Dao Companion, you're here to waste my time, right? If you don't buy, hurry up and leave; I'm closing up!"

While shooing people away, the owner said irritably: "Five Spirit Sand, even a single Transmission Jade Tablet is not worth this price, okay? It's absurd!"

Xiao Zhangqing restrained his inner excitement and said calmly: "You were the one who wasted my time first. Five low‑grade Spirit Stones, how dare you quote that price? The technique I practice myself is Changchun Gong, I still don't know its value."

The stall owner chuckled sheepishly.

Knowing Xiao Zhangqing is not a fresh rookie in the Cultivation World, he couldn't bluff any longer, and stubbornly explained: "In this Jade Tablet of mine, it records the insights of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, that's the most valuable part."

"You say it's the insights of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so it's the insights of a Foundation Establishment cultivator?" Xiao Zhangqing sneered coldly, "If you say it's the insights of a Golden Core Real Person, should I also believe it?"

The owner earnestly said: "Indeed it's the insights of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If you don't believe, you can buy it and see. Stall owners nearby all know I'm famous for good reputation, never cheat."

"You already cheated me just now," Xiao Zhangqing sneered, "Moreover, even if we step back ten thousand steps, even if it's truly the insights of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, its usefulness is still very limited. Cultivation relies on oneself; it's not that someone tells you an insight and you can instantly master it."

The owner was powerless to refute.

The sales trick was completely exposed, with no secrets left.

So he said weakly, "Then how much Spirit Sand are you actually willing to pay? Name a number. If it's still five Spirit Sand, then you can leave; I can't possibly sell at a loss."

Xiao Zhangqing heard that and nodded.

Very good.

Already half the battle is won.

This owner's mouth has already dropped directly to Spirit Sand; the unit of calculation is no longer Spirit Stone.

Xiao Zhangqing pondered for a moment and said: "We are both low‑level Scattered Cultivators, neither of us is wealthy. I'm not afraid to tell the owner that I'm quite interested in the insights and experiences recorded in this Jade Tablet. However, right now, all I have left in my whole body is just over thirty pieces of Spirit Sand. So the highest price I can offer is thirty Spirit Sand."

"Thirty Spirit Sand? No, no, too low! At least double it, sixty Spirit Sand…" The owner's voice rose an octave, quickly gesturing that the Spirit Sand was too little.

Thus.

After repeated pulling, Xiao Zhangqing kept appealing to emotion and reason, swearing that he truly couldn't produce more Spirit Sand.

Finally, at a price of 35 Spirit Sand, he secured the Transmission Jade Tablet.

……

……

Back at his home in Peng Hu Qu, he closed the door.

Xiao Zhangqing couldn't wait a moment; he eagerly took out the Transmission Jade Tablet, and as soon as his thoughts moved, the tablet suddenly appeared on the panel! 【Transmission Jade Tablet】

【A Jade Tablet that records the insights of a Foundation Establishment mid‑stage cultivator practicing Changchun Gong; because it is passed down to descendants, it contains earnest hopes, the cultivator left no secrets, and every detail is thoroughly explained…】

【Equipment Requirement: Changchun Gong entry】

【Equipment Effect: Changchun Gong Great Achievement】

Xiao Zhangqing exactly meets the equipment requirement; the technique he practices is Changchun Gong, and he has entered it.

"Equip me!"

Boom! Xiao Zhangqing originally thought two pieces of equipment could be used simultaneously.

But unexpectedly, after the Transmission Jade Tablet was equipped, the Symbol Master's Handbook was unloaded.

In an instant.

Xiao Zhangqing still retains the insights of the six Basic Symbol Talismans, but the minor achievement effects fade away as quickly as the tide.

In other words, in this state Xiao Zhangqing cannot draw symbols anymore. He only has the insights, theoretical knowledge, but lacks the 'minor achievement' effect.

Of course, even with only insights, his conversion of those insights into real ability is still much faster than ordinary cultivators.

For example, in the past few days he has only drawn Cleanse Talisman a few times, yet feels already fairly proficient, not far from entry.

"So it turns out I can only equip one item at a time for now."

Xiao Zhangqing understood what was happening.

From now on he'll try to run Changchun Gong; now we have to see the effect of the second piece of equipment.

Hum~ The smooth, exhilarating flow feels more than ten times faster than before when cultivating; Xiao Zhangqing can no longer contain his inner excitement.

"Huge profit!"

A mere 35 Spirit Sand let him raise Changchun Gong from entry to Great Achievement, advancing three levels, almost equivalent to the proficiency a cultivator only reaches in the Foundation Establishment realm for this technique!

Whether it's the technique itself or various skills, they are divided into five grades: entry, minor achievement, mastery, great achievement, and perfection.

When he touched the Jade Tablet at the market, he was thrilled beyond words, already unable to let go, silently deciding that even by any means he must obtain it.

This Jade Tablet is too important to him!

But it is something that can be encountered but not sought.

He just happens to meet the equipment condition, and it can also compensate for his slow cultivation speed, quickly boosting his cultivation.

"So awesome!"

Xiao Zhangqing closed his eyes, feeling the uncontrolled chaotic Spirit Power in the surrounding air being rapidly drawn into his body, then transformed by the technique into controlled magical energy; this comfort is unparalleled.

But soon, Xiao Zhangqing could no longer feel the thrill.

He sensed a distinct rawness and had to stop the cultivation.

It wasn't the technique's fault; the Spirit Qi in the room was being absorbed too quickly, creating a "vacuum" zone in a short time, supply could not meet demand.

No wonder, apart from a cheapskate like Lin Ziyu, there are hardly any mid‑stage cultivators living in Peng Hu Qu. I am only at Qi Refining Second Layer, and after my skill proficiency rank rose, the spiritual energy could no longer be supplied.

For a mid‑stage cultivator, living in a place like this makes it impossible to advance one's cultivation for a lifetime.

Next month, after receiving my salary, I'll move immediately!

Xiao Zhangqing silently swore to himself.

His current craving for spiritual energy is probably a few points stronger than that of an average mid‑stage cultivator; the housing in Peng Hu Qu cannot satisfy his cultivation needs at all and will greatly curb his practice efficiency.

When the spiritual energy in the room gradually recovered, Xiao Zhangqing tried cultivating several more times.

Each time he was elated and on the verge of breakthrough, but was forced to stop, leaving him dissatisfied and with an itch in his heart.

Xiao Zhangqing simply stopped and began examining the inventory.

After equipping the Changchun Gong Jade Tablet just now, the equipment effect of the Symbol Master's Handbook disappeared, but the Symbol Master's Handbook did not "drop" out; it remained in the inventory.

Only when Xiao Zhangqing thought to "unequip" did the Symbol Master's Handbook booklet appear in his hand.

At this moment, the inventory, aside from the Changchun Gong Jade Tablet, still had two illuminated empty slots.

When he thought again, the Symbol Master's Handbook was re‑equipped into the system, leaving only one empty slot.

"It seems that, for now, I can equip at most three items."

"But I cannot select two items simultaneously as 'primary equipment' to exert effects together."

Xiao Zhangqing quickly grasped the rules of the inventory.

As for how to expand the inventory, especially to equip multiple items simultaneously and stack their effects, Xiao Zhangqing must first raise his cultivation.

This is directly related to the magnitude of one's magical power.

At present, Xiao Zhangqing is only at Qi Refining Second Layer, and his magical power is too weak.

Perhaps.

When he reaches Qi Refining Fourth Level and enters the mid‑stage, he will see improvement.

(End of chapter)