Chapter 188: The Scale in People's Hearts

After cultivating to the Seventh Flow, Xu Yuan condensed a new Fate Pattern:

Ghost Doctor Steals Life.

This is a Fate Pattern that works in two directions.

Against enemies—it stealthily steals some of their "lifespan" without them noticing.

For oneself—it adds a portion of the stolen lifespan to one's own body.

Furthermore, it operates over an area; all enemies within the combat range are weakened by this Fate Pattern.

The more enemies are below Xu Yuan's level, the stronger the weakening effect.

If opponents are above Xu Yuan's level, the weakening effect decreases.

But even if an opponent is of First Flow level, this Fate Pattern can still take effect.

It's just that the degree of weakening is negligible.

And Xu Yuan's comrades nearby can all enjoy the blessing of "increased lifespan."

The name of this Fate Pattern sounds somewhat eerie, but its effect is truly powerful!

Xu Yuan remembered his father once told him about a similar Fate Pattern named "Heavenly Doctor Bestows Life."

Its effect was relatively single-purpose, only able to buff and heal oneself.

Although it sounded good, its actual effect was not as good as this "Ghost Doctor Steals Life."

Xu Yuan felt that the reason it appeared eerie and strange... was probably due to the lingering embers of the Black Donkey Fate Pattern.

Ultimately, the result was good.

Additionally, there was one point of confusion: why had he suddenly advanced?

Two days ago, Xu Yuan had vaguely felt he was about to ascend a Flow, but lacked some crucial "opportunity."

Xu Yuan thought for a moment, opened "Gaze at Fate," and took a look at Zhang Laoya.

A brilliant orange Fate Pattern, even revealing hints of gold.

The Fate Pattern was:

Shared Prosperity.

Win-win cooperation, a profit of ten thousand for one!

Cooperating with this old merchant had given Xu Yuan the most crucial push.

Xu Yuan secretly smiled; in other words, the "dissatisfaction" Zhang Laoya had shown was an act.

It was all this old fellow's negotiation tactics.

When he heard "Eight Directions Injury Calamity," he had actually decided in his heart to make this "deal" with him.

He just never expected that Xu Yuan would borrow his Fate Pattern first.

Xu Yuan continued speaking: "Seventh Flow; Fate Cultivation is also Seventh Flow."

Zhang Laoya was clearly stunned; he had thought Xu Yuan's Fate Cultivation was only Ninth Flow level.

Xu Yuan stating Seventh Flow far exceeded his expectations.

At this very moment, Xu Yuan completely turned the tables, gaining full control in this negotiation.

"Does the senior elder feel that the previous quote of two hundred thousand taels of silver was laughable?" Xu Yuan asked with a faint smile on his face.

Zhang Laoya was unwilling to admit it.

Although he was a Sixth Flow Law Cultivator and had already touched the threshold of Fifth Flow.

Before a Seventh Flow Fate Cultivator, he could not be arrogant.

"Do you truly have Seventh Flow?" Zhang Laoya doubted: "If you truly have Seventh Flow, why stay in the Filth-Exorcising Bureau?"

Xu Yuan smiled without answering.

Zhang Laoya asked again: "Besides Eight Directions Injury Calamity, what other Fate Patterns do you have?"

"There is another named 'Ghost Doctor Steals Life'; as for the last one... I won't say it, you wouldn't have heard of it anyway."

If Xu Yuan had told him everything, Zhang Laoya would have believed him even less.

Fate Cultivators definitely hide one or two Fate Patterns, keeping them secret; those are the capital for a Fate Cultivator's survival.

When Zhang Laoya heard "Ghost Doctor Steals Life," his eyes moved uncontrollably.

"It is actually Ghost Doctor Steals Life, and not... Heavenly Doctor Bestows Life." He turned his head, looked deeply at Xu Yuan, and then said: "I will introduce you and carefully teach you everything regarding Merchant Cultivation."

Xu Yuan nodded: "As an exchange, what does this junior need to give?"

"I offended a group of people back then, which is why I hid in Southern Jiaozhi. However, recently they might come to seek revenge, and I need to borrow the power of your Fate Pattern.

So I need to stay at the Nancheng Patrol Station for three months.

If nothing happens within three months, we will be even."

Xu Yuan: "If they come within three months? Does this junior need to help the senior elder fight them?"

Zhang Laoya shook his head: "What I give is not worth a Seventh Flow Fate Cultivator risking their life to fight. If they come, you watch the battle from the side; I only need to borrow your Fate Pattern."

Xu Yuan thought for a moment; there was naturally risk involved in this.

I watch the battle from the side; will Zhang Laoya's enemies think we are allies?

Or perhaps they simply want to "cut the weeds and dig up the roots."

That would implicate me.

Enemies capable of frightening Zhang Laoya into hiding everywhere are of formidable strength.

Zhang Laoya obviously saw Xu Yuan's concerns, sighed helplessly, and said truthfully: "Rest assured, although they are enemies, they are not mortal enemies. They... just want to torment me.

If I fight with my life, they won't get the better of me either.

But I... feel guilty in my heart, so I have been hiding from them all along."

Xu Yuan looked at him strangely; Zhang Laoya's old face burned under the gaze: "If you don't believe me, go ask Ma Tianshou; he knows this matter clearly."

Xu Yuan finally nodded: "Deal."

With the two having settled the matter, Zhang Laoya said, "Extend your hand."

Xu Yuan found this strange, but still extended his right hand.

Zhang Laoya grasped Xu Yuan's hand and squeezed hard.

Xu Yuan felt a pain in his palm, as if something had pierced it.

Then a warm current flowed along the "wound" and merged into his body.

Images rapidly surfaced in Xu Yuan's mind.

They were the Law Cultivators who had practiced the Merchant Arts that he had encountered before.

The Life-Buying Money, the "stall" of the Holy Maiden, and so on.

Previously, when viewing these "Merchant Arts," they were merely Merchant Arts.

Now, however, he suddenly possessed a deeper understanding.

For instance, he had some clues on how to create "Life-Buying Money."

Xu Yuan stared at Zhang Laoya in astonishment.

The latter said, "Good, you have entered the gate and entered the flow. I will first teach you some basic Merchant Arts..."

"So simple?"

Zhang Laoya snorted: "For those at the bottom of the Third Flow, it is indeed not easy. They must completely extract their own characteristics, just as if they were scattering their cultivation.

It not only takes a long time, but is also extremely painful.

But for those at the Sixth Flow and above, guiding someone in is actually effortless."

Zhang Laoya paused, then added a justification: "But one cannot guide in too many; generally, if it exceeds three, one's own rank must drop a level."

Zhang Laoya began imparting the basic common sense of the Merchant Arts; the first sentence was: "The key to the Merchant Arts lies in that scale in people's hearts.

Once one cultivates the Merchant Arts, then everything in this world has a price.

Nothing cannot be bought or sold.

But how is the price calculated? Everyone has a scale in their heart for every item.

If you wish to buy something from another's hand, the price you offer is not the price on the scale in their heart.

Rather, it is the price measured by the scales in the hearts of the vast majority of people in this world.

Simply put, it is a 'fair' price.

We, however, must push this price down to the lowest within the range of 'fairness'."

He smiled proudly: "As long as someone can say 'it is still fair,' then this business can be concluded!"

Xu Yuan nodded thoughtfully.

Zhang Laoya reminded him again: "But do not think that merely offering a high price to buy something constitutes a successful Merchant Arts practice.

Under-earning is a loss!

If you do this too often, your Merchant Arts will stagnate; remember this, remember this!"

(End of this chapter)