Chapter 586: Purchasing (A Celebration for the League Leader of Cramping Nights!)

Ten years passed in a flash.

Liefeng City.

Aaron dug the final piece of loot—the 'Black Wood Sword' Magic Tool—out from the ground of an abandoned house, then left in a leisurely manner.

"Nothing happened at all... I was just playing mind games with the air..."

As he left, he glanced at his Attribute Panel:

【Name: Fang Yu (Aaron)】

【Talent: Immortality】

【Age: 149】

Aaron maintained a deadpan expression; after entering the market, he did not look left or right, appearing well-acquainted with the place as he arrived at the bookstore from last time.

Therefore, its greatest effect was not defense, but early warning!

'Forget it... although being a rogue cultivator is fine, it doesn't match my steady style.'

After the rice was cooked, he lifted the wooden lid, and a puff of steam rose up, carrying an alluring fragrance.

Aaron gazed toward the direction of Dongmen Valley, his eyes deep and inscrutable.

"Hmm... this Spirit Rice, after being cooked, has lost none of its Spirit Qi... not bad at all."

In fact, he had a plan long ago.

"This is killing me... how is it that there isn't even a single Monster Beast in this wretched mountain range?"

Taking the Spirit Rice out of his Storage Bag and pouring it into the rice jar, Aaron washed the rice with some impatience and cooked a pot of Spirit Rice.

A sturdy man, formerly a ruffian, saw this, a flash of sharp light in his eyes; he jumped onto a wheelbarrow and shouted loudly: "An immortal has descended, this is a blessed omen for me, everyone follow me and rebel... with the immortal's protection, we will surely be invincible, let's break open the county city and eat our fill!"

The scholar did not recognize Aaron either, and he looked much older now, having entered middle age, yet his cultivation technique showed no signs of progress.

Many years had passed since the rebellion of the six Anti-Kings of the Lin Kingdom, land annexation had intensified once again, and once another natural or man-made disaster occurred, wouldn't war break out again?

Looking at those sallow and emaciated refugees, Aaron felt a bit of pity, but he was powerless to help and could only steer his Magic Tool to fly past quickly.

This 'Spirit Rice' helped with cultivation, so naturally, he had to buy some to get a taste.

"A 'Green Wood Art', a 'Water Origin Art', both are incomplete techniques with only five or six levels... common goods, of no value."

When Aaron flipped open a paper book, he suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Besides this, there was also one Storage Bag, with an internal capacity of several cubic meters.

"One Spirit Stone per shi!"

【Skills: Fishing (100/100), Sea Gathering Residual Art (4/5), Disguise Technique (100/100), Bone Shrinking Technique (49/100), Medicine (100/100), Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting (100/100)】

Any place with even a hint of overflowing Spirit Qi was occupied by the Dongmen Family, and there were cultivators patrolling!

"The probability of Spirit Beasts appearing in this Immortal Cultivation World is about the same as the Red Blood Carp King... that's truly fatal, only one or two appear every few decades, the hunters would starve to death..."

This time Aaron had experience; learning from other Immortal Cultivators, he did not enter from the valley entrance at all, but instead steered his Magic Tool to fly over the Mist Array above the entrance, skimming directly over vast stretches of Spirit Fields.

The chubby rice shopkeeper smiled and said: "The rice in this shop is new rice collected directly from the Dongmen Family; look at this luster, this spiritual charm... we never cheat our customers!"

"This Token can control the Forbidden Technique around the Cave Abode, but it is only valid for one year," the waiter explained further and politely sent Aaron out of the inn.

"Then why not... go to the market again, at least buy the cultivation techniques in full, and for the sake of safety, perhaps try to rent a Cave Abode in the market and stay for a while?"

Aaron sighed, rolled up his sleeves, and cleaned the courtyard inside and out until it was barely livable.

"Though, based on my observations during this time... the Dongmen Family's rule is quite stable; nothing has changed in ten years."

"This guest, what books would you like to purchase?"

Immediately afterward, he arrived at the 'Dongmen Inn'.

Aaron steered his Magic Tool until he reached the front of Dongmen Market before jumping off the Flying Boat, his face cold and stern, carrying a hint of baleful aura that made it clear he was not to be trifled with.

Therefore, it was widely circulated.

His dream of being a hunter... was shattered.

After all, when he came last time, Aaron had changed into a sallow-faced appearance, which he immediately discarded afterward.

One 'Camouflage Barrier', which seemed not to be a Magic Tool but a piece of camouflage clothing, but it had a very good concealment effect when draped over oneself, making it very suitable for use by old schemers and ambushers.

Aaron chose a relatively secluded spot and took out ten Spirit Stones.

Because the material of this book gave him a sense of familiarity.

Aaron's expression became solemn as he looked at the title—"Lure Demon Manual".

Aaron took the Red Wood Token and found that the front was inscribed with the character 'Order', and below it was a line of small text—'C-37'.

After coming to the market and buying the cultivation techniques, he would immediately rent a Cave Abode, then attempt to break through to the seventh level of the 'Hunyuan Art' and enter the Qi Refining Late Stage!

Sitting inside the hired carriage, Aaron pondered while checking his harvest from ten years ago.

After all, everyone practiced the same technique, making it convenient to pass on knowledge! When encountering bottlenecks and difficulties, they could also discuss them with each other and learn from the breakthrough experiences of others.

Aaron arrived at the practice room, and after closing the door tightly, the room seemed to fall into a realm of absolute silence.

After a careful inspection, Aaron had harvested a total of over forty Spirit Stones of various colors, allowing the number of Spirit Stones he possessed to break through the fifty mark in one go; how gratifying, how gratifying...

The courtyard was not large, but it had a stone table, four round stone stools, and three rooms.

"Hmm, show me a Cave Abode for one Spirit Stone a month... I heard there's a discount if I rent for more than a year?"

The Token emitted a glowing red Light, and the gate opened in response to the Light.

"Hmm... in a while, I can go to the Taiyuan Mountain Range to conduct an Investigation."

"Cheap goods... that's how it is."

"This paper is somewhat similar to the material used to record the 'Sea Gathering Residual Art'..."

Aaron channeled a wisp of Dharma Power into the Token, understood its usage instantly, and holding the Token, he arrived at the gate of the small courtyard.

Of course, to respect the privacy of Immortal Cultivators, there was a circle of White Mist Prohibition around the small courtyard.

One Low-grade Magical Artifact Black Wood Sword; since it was an item from a rogue cultivator, he would have to use it carefully in the future to avoid being recognized.

Several months later, in the Taiyuan Mountain Range.

After fighting in many places in succession and setting bait dozens of times, he attracted quite a few tigers, leopards, pheasants, wild rabbits, snakes, insects, and ants... but not a single proper Monster Beast or Spirit Beast!

"I finally understand... this 'Lure Demon Manual' is simply a useless chicken rib! Although the Dragon-Slaying Art is effective, you have to actually have a dragon to slay..."

And once he breaks through, the Qi Refining Late Stage is already considered an expert among cultivators at the Qi Refining stage. Those bandit cultivators and those with ill intentions might not be willing to risk their lives against him for the potential gain of a few dozen Spirit Stones—because it's not worth it! The risk is too high! And after all, humans are creatures that seek advantages and avoid harm!

Even without other side dishes, he felt this Spirit Rice was quite delicious.

Regardless of how the flames of war raged in the outside world, this place remained as tranquil as it had been in the past.

Dongmen Valley.

Aaron let go of an 'Iron-Eating Beast' he had attracted with a look of bad luck on his face, and watching the creature roll into the bamboo forest looking all cute, he couldn't help but sigh.

The foul-faced waiter from last time had long since been replaced by a slick and smooth young man who smiled before speaking, possessing the true flair of a businessman.

"Oh?"

After flipping through a few pages, he roughly understood that this was a book teaching cultivators how to make fragrant bait to lure Monster Beasts into traps for encirclement and slaughter.

The waiter immediately made a note with a pen, collected the Spirit Stones, and returned to the counter. Not long after, he brought out a Token: "This is the Prohibition Token, please keep it safe, guest!"

He sat cross-legged, pondering the cultivation method of the Seventh Layer of the Hunyuan Art, and then began to cultivate silently.

Aaron made a snide remark, rubbed his chin, and thought thoughtfully: "It seems... changing careers to become a hunter is actually a pretty good choice."

As well as a few books and Jade Slips for Immortal Cultivators...

On the back was a simple map of the market.

Because one should not flaunt wealth! As a cultivator at the Qi Refining Middle Stage, if he spent dozens of Spirit Stones lavishly to buy cultivation methods, he might be targeted and robbed by bandit cultivators the moment he left the valley, just like last time!

Inside the market, however, safety could basically be guaranteed.

The Immortal Cultivators around him whose cultivation was even lower than his immediately stepped aside respectfully.

【Realm: Qi Refining Sixth Layer】

Ever since he obtained the 'Lure Demon Manual', Aaron had practiced it until he was proficient and then made a large amount of 'beast bait', wanting to make a fortune in the deep mountains and old forests.

Well, although it is called a 'Cave Abode', it is actually an independent small courtyard with walls on four sides, and the area is neither too big nor too small.

While passing by a rice shop, his gaze shifted and he stopped: "How is this Spirit Rice sold?"

The waiter immediately knew a big business deal had arrived, and he beamed with joy as he stepped forward and opened a booklet: "Guests can choose from the empty Cave Abodes on here... If you rent for a long term of one year, I can give you a discount of two Spirit Stones, how about that?"

"It seems... the chapter on fish in the 'Lure Demon Manual' of this Immortal Cultivation World once drifted into the mortal world, and then after being improved, or rather simplified, it became the 'Sea-Gathering Essential Art'... and the 'Sea Gathering Residual Art' I obtained is actually a fragment of the original simplified version? No wonder I could never max it out!"

Many refugees shouted along, and a small Refugee Army was formed in an instant...

Donglong, who was farming in the fields, looked up and saw Aaron steering the Iron Leaf Boat, and could not help but feel a trace of envy: "An Immortal Cultivator with a Magic Tool..."

He looked a bit older, but he did not recognize Aaron at this moment.

On the road, while steering the Iron Leaf Boat, he saw a wave of refugees and his gaze dropped slightly: "The world... has fallen into chaos again."

And after eating until full, there was a surge of warm Spirit Qi rising from his abdomen, spreading throughout his limbs and bones.

【Martial Art: Iron Shirt Fist Third Layer (1000/1000)】

Immediately afterward, he was fiercely slapped in the face by reality!

【Spells: Spirit Eye Technique (100/100), Wind Control Technique (100/100), Golden Light Shield (100/100), Fireball Technique (100/100), Rejuvenation Technique (100/100)】

"Then let's go with this one."

"First, cook two jin of Spirit Rice to get a taste of it!"

Immediately after, he went to the market street to buy some daily necessities.

"But what about this defense?"

Those two bandit cultivators failed to rob him and lost their lives instead, essentially handing over all their possessions to Aaron.

Following the map on the Token, Aaron easily found his Cave Abode.

If one did not have a Token for a fixed residence after dark and was caught, it would not be a fun matter.

"First, give me one shi!"

Aaron scooped a spoonful, feeling the rice was soft and firm, and the crispy, glutinous texture was very intoxicating, so he started eating without realizing it.

Besides the master bedroom, there were also a study, a cultivation room, a kitchen... it could be called small but complete in every detail.

However, the crowd on the ground saw the descending Iron Leaf Boat and exclaimed one after another: "An Immortal! The Immortal is merciful and compassionate, saving us from suffering!"

Aaron kicked away a white-haired tiger and incidentally beat a dozen hungry wolves to death.

Aaron asked with an unchanging expression.

【Cultivation Method: Hunyuan Art Sixth Layer (600/600)】

Because of its universal characteristic of not requiring a specific Spirit Root, this 'Hunyuan Art' is quite popular among some small Immortal Cultivator families and Loose Cultivators.

When Aaron channeled his Dharma Power to disperse the Dharma Power imprint on a khaki-colored Storage Bag and pulled out a handful of colorful Spirit Stones, he even began to consider whether he should change careers to the seemingly promising profession of a robber.

With this plan in mind, Aaron immediately left the Taiyuan Mountain Range, preparing to set off for Dongmen Valley.

It contained all kinds of bait, such as those specifically for birds, beasts, wolves, tigers, insects, and even specific types of Monster Beasts or Spirit Beasts... as well as fish!

The fish bait recorded in the 'Sea Gathering Residual Art' was very similar to the Secret recipe for luring Spirit Fish in one of the chapters, only missing a few steps of refining with Dharma Power.

Aaron was too lazy to even ask for his name, and said directly: "The full set of the 'Hunyuan Art'!"

In the blink of an eye, it was evening, and there were fewer pedestrians in the market, while more and more patrol cultivators from the Dongmen family, dressed in stern black uniforms, appeared.

"Compared to Spirit Fish meat, the amount of Spirit Qi increased by this kind of Spirit Rice at one time is much less, but it has the advantage of being gentle and providing a steady, long-term supply!"

"Open the county town, eat the grain!"

Finally, there were some miscellaneous items of little value.

Aaron probed the White Mist Prohibition and found it quite ordinary; by using the Spirit Eye Technique, he could see right through it, and he estimated that an Immortal Cultivator at the Qi Refining Middle Stage could easily break it.

"After ten years of bitter cultivation this time, I can finally say I have perfected the sixth level of the Hunyuan Art; from here on, there really are no more cultivation techniques."

The shopkeeper, dressed like a Confucian scholar, did not harbor the slightest suspicion, a smile spreading across his face: "Twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

Aaron endured the heartache and paid the money expressionlessly, took the Jade Slip containing the 'Hunyuan Art' technique, pressed it directly against his forehead to inspect it, and found no errors or omissions, with the previous six levels matching what he had already learned; he nodded immediately and left the bookstore amidst the Confucian scholar's enthusiastic sales pitch.

Many people knelt down and kowtowed incessantly.

Furthermore, after Aaron ventured deep along the Taiyuan Mountain Range, he discovered that there was actually only one place where the Spirit Qi of the entire mountain range converged—that was Dongmen Valley, and it had been occupied long ago!

Aaron thought for a moment and took out a Spirit Stone.

Aaron placed the Jade Slip against his forehead, focused his mind, and immediately saw the contents within.

"Eat grain!"

Although Aaron was not afraid, he did not want to invite trouble, so he returned to his residence, number thirty-seven of the Bing block.

"This guest, are you looking to rent a Cave Abode?"

While cultivating, the Spirit Qi from the Spirit Rice was rapidly refined, and in the void, an even larger amount of subtle Spirit Qi than ever before was being attracted.

This feeling of a sudden surge in cultivation speed left Aaron deeply intoxicated...

(End of this chapter)