Chapter 227: Formation Selection

Miss Hu, I came this time; aside from selling some talismans, mainly I just want to buy a formation diagram, a powerful formation diagram!

Saying this, Wang Ping'an paused his words, raised his head, and gazed fervently at Hu Rui, transmitting his voice: "I don't know if Miss Hu, you would be willing to help me?"

"Naturally no problem; our Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan Merchant Guild has all kinds of formation diagrams for sale; I just fear Fellow Daoist Li, you'll be dazzled by the choices!"

Hu Rui's face showed only arrogance; she wasn't afraid of Wang Ping'an making demands, but afraid he wouldn't make any—since she could solve his difficulties, that would naturally bring them closer, she said:

"I don't know, Fellow Daoist Li, what type of formation do you want?"

As they spoke, Hu Rui's mind stirred; a yellowed beast‑skin booklet appeared in her palm, she casually handed it to Wang Ping'an, then spoke again:

"Fellow Daoist Li, this book records all kinds of treasures our Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan sells; inside are formation diagrams. Fellow Daoist Li, if you don't know what formation you need, you can first take a look!"

Wang Ping'an nodded, took the small beast‑skin booklet Hu Rui handed over, looked at the thick volume, flipped through it, and saw that inside there were not only text but also illustrated product descriptions; his eyes instantly turned fiery.

Indeed.

The Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan Merchant Guild, truly a powerful merchant guild in the vicinity, this product list is proof.

He would know the situation of the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan Merchant Guild from hearing idle chatter at the Nine-headed Mountain Market.

Not long after.

Wang Ping'an suppressed his inner agitation; as soon as he began browsing this product list, no matter which item, he felt the urge to buy it.

Besides being attracted by the items' effects, he was also drawn by their prices.

Besides using them himself, he could also secretly learn to craft and sell them.

But his purse was thin, his energy limited, and he currently faced a strong enemy, so he could only restrain the impulse to buy everything; quickly he turned to the section of formation goods.

Each beast‑skin page recorded a formation; its written effects were very attractive to him—offensive, defensive, and bewildering—but he didn't linger long before discarding them.

Who let it be that most of these formations recorded on the beast skins had no effect on Hu Meiniang.

He didn't know Hu Meiniang's exact cultivation, but they didn't even regard his master's early Golden Core cultivation; Hu Meiniang is at least at early Golden Core level.

These formations recorded on the beast skins are all meant to deal with cultivators of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment levels; they are utterly ineffective against Golden Core cultivators.

As he flipped further back, Wang Ping'an looked at the efficacy of a certain formation recorded on the beast skin, about to smile, when he saw the steep price; his smile instantly turned into a wry grin.

This is a terrifying formation capable of dealing with Golden Core cultivators; moreover, if the one setting it up is skilled, it can even fight or even slay Nascent Soul cultivators.

Presumably.

It should be enough to deal with Hu Meiniang!

Who would have thought, this formation actually costs as high as ten thousand medium‑grade spirit stones.

According to the introduction in this beast‑skin merchandise book, one medium‑grade spirit stone equals one hundred low‑grade spirit stones; ten thousand medium‑grade spirit stones thus amount to one million low‑grade spirit stones.

Not to mention selling him; even if you dismantled and sold him, you couldn't earn that much money.

Originally I thought relying on basic talismans I could easily earn over a thousand low‑grade spirit stones in a day.

Now, compared to this formation, they are the ones making money; at most I'd just be earning hard‑won cash.

Wang Ping'an suppressed his displeasure, could only keep flipping, hoping to see a cost‑effective formation in this beast‑skin merchandise book, but disappointing him, he was about to finish scanning the formation collection recorded in the book.

Yet none satisfied him; the further back he went, the more outrageous the formations' effects became, and the prices grew ever higher.

Relying on selling talismans to earn low‑grade spirit stones, I don't know how many years it would take to afford a formation.

Hoping to set up a powerful formation at home to stop Hu Meiniang from persecuting his family……

That hope is likely to be dashed!

Wang Ping'an silently sighed, closed the beast‑skin merchandise book, and handed it to Hu Rui.

Hu Rui took the beast‑skin merchandise book Wang Ping'an handed over; unable to see any expression on his face, she naturally couldn't discern his thoughts and asked:

"Fellow Daoist, I don't know which formation you have in mind; I'll go fetch it for you right away!"

"Miss Hu, I actually have ideas about all the formations you have here, but they're too expensive; I'm just a poor guy—even if I had an idea, I couldn't produce that many medium‑grade spirit stones!"

Wang Ping'an self‑deprecatingly said: "Sorry for taking up so much of your time, Miss Hu!"

"Fellow Daoist Li, wait a moment!"

Hu Rui watched Wang Ping'an turn and prepare to leave; she hurriedly called out to stop him. Seeing him halt his steps, although she couldn't see whether there was regret on his face, she should be puzzled as to why she called him, and explained:

"Fellow Daoist Li, lacking money is no problem; although I can't directly give you a formation diagram on credit, I can offer to let you purchase it on credit!"

This novel you have arrived at

On credit!

They, the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan Merchant Guild, are not that old‑fashioned guild; they allow credit, but there are conditions for those who take credit.

At the very least, one must be known and trustworthy, with the ability to repay.

Wang Ping'an is the first who fails to meet this condition!

However.

At least it currently holds a managerial post in the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan Merchant Guild; though it may not oversee distant branches of that guild, in the Nine-headed Mountain Market's Nine-headed Mountain Monster Clan Merchant Guild, this little plot of land, it still has a say.

It hasn't had much contact with Wang Ping'an, but it is willing to use its privileges for him.

Wang Ping'an is worth such an investment on its part!

Even if it fails, worst case it can later make up Wang Ping'an's debt itself—though it would suffer hardship—but if it could grow closer to Wang Ping'an and obtain more talismans from him,

it would be a ten‑fold—no, a hundred‑fold return on business!

It is willing to give it a try!

It only hopes that the formation diagram Wang Ping'an fancies won't be too outrageous.

Really?

Wang Ping'an's eyes lit up instantly.

Hu Rui smiled and said: "Fellow Daoist Li, although we've only just met, I feel we are old friends at first sight; how could I deceive you? Fellow Daoist, tell me what formation you have taken a liking to, go ahead and say!"

In Wang Ping'an's mind, myriad stray thoughts surfaced—all the formations he had just seen on the beast skins—until each notion shattered, leaving only a single notion; he spoke solemnly:

"I want to buy the Small Five Elements Sword Formation; I don't know if Miss Hu, your guild has any in stock."

Small Five Elements Sword Formation, according to the records in the beast hide merchandise book, is a formation with extremely strong killing power; for those who use this formation, there are very strict requirements; likewise, this results in the formation's power being exceptional.

Practicing the Five Elements techniques, Sword Cultivator!

Coincidentally, he meets both requirements; it can be said that from the moment he first laid eyes on this formation, he had already taken a liking to it.

(End of chapter)