Chapter 300: Cave Residence Layout

Of course.

With the influence of the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan Trade Association, they have everything here—from Foundation Establishment to even Golden Core Tiger Demon skin. It tells Wang Ping'an this because the Small Five Elements Sword Formation doesn't need Golden Core Tiger Demon skin.

First, it's wasteful; second, the price of Golden Core Tiger Demon skin is beyond what ordinary people can afford.

"Foundation..."

Wang Ping'an was about to answer, but before he could finish, he snapped back and asked, "Third Miss, may I ask what rank the Tiger Demon skin you gave earlier was?"

"That Tiger Demon skin was from a Tiger Demon at the ninth level of Refining Qi!"

Hu Rui replied.

"Then..."

Wang Ping'an was about to purchase a Refining Qi Tiger Demon skin, but recalling the effect the Small Five Elements Sword Formation produced yesterday—far below his expectations—he asked:

"Do you know how the prices of Refining Qi and Foundation Establishment Tiger Demon skins compare?"

He didn't know whether a Small Five Elements Sword Formation diagram forged with a Foundation Establishment Tiger Demon skin would be more powerful than one made with a Refining Qi Tiger Demon skin.

He thought it should be so!

Otherwise.

When forging a magical artifact, why always choose the finest materials instead of using makeshift ones?

Because the material gap does affect the artifact's final effect.

Even artifacts of the same grade can differ.

If the price were right, he would be willing to buy a Foundation Establishment early-stage Tiger Demon skin as raw material for the Small Five Elements Sword Formation diagram.

"As for price, I can offer you, Li Dao You, a discount: a Refining Qi ninth-level Tiger Demon skin for the price of one thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

Hu Rui said seriously, "A Foundation Establishment early-stage Tiger Demon skin costs ten thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

"That expensive?"

Wang Ping'an was startled, about to resolve to purchase the ninth-level Refining Qi Tiger Demon skin, remembering he still owed Hu Rui a huge sum.

Now he has to buy the skin on credit; how could he afford such an expensive skin on installment?

Hu Rui seemed to notice Wang Ping'an's surprise; although he was currently controlling a Paper Person, his face showed no expression as he said seriously:

"Fellow cultivator, if possible, I recommend you buy a Foundation Establishment early-stage Tiger Demon skin. Though the difference between ninth-level Refining Qi and early-stage Foundation Establishment is only one realm, the gap between them is as vast as heaven and earth.

Especially for us monsters, the disparity shows in every aspect of the body; the hide is the clearest indicator.

Without exaggeration, a Small Five Elements Sword Formation diagram forged with a Foundation Establishment early-stage Tiger Demon skin is countless times superior to one forged with a ninth-level Refining Qi skin.

Similarly.

A Small Five Elements Sword Formation diagram made from a Foundation Establishment early-stage Tiger Demon hide can unleash a far more terrifying power!

Hearing Hu Rui's endless exposition on the obvious gap between ninth-level Refining Qi and early-stage Foundation Establishment Tiger Demon skins, Wang Ping'an was stunned, like a telemarketer on a call.

The sales tactics aren't identical, but the gist is the same.

One can only say Hu Rui makes a suitable salesperson!

"Wait, I'm buying on credit; it doesn't fear me running away, so why worry about the price?"

A flash of insight flickered in Wang Ping'an's mind, then he recovered and hurriedly said, "Fine, I'll take your word, Third Miss, I'll purchase the early-stage Foundation Establishment Tiger Demon skin!" "I'll fetch it for you right away!"

Hu Rui smiled, stood up, about to leave, when she heard Wang Ping'an call out, halted, turned her head toward him, and asked:

"Li Dao You, do you have any other instructions?"

"Third Miss, do you happen to sell any Cave Residence Layout Diagrams?"

Wang Ping'an asked.

"Cave Residence Layout Diagram?"

Hu Rui's expression turned oddly strange; whether monster or cultivator, establishing a cave residence follows one's own will, with all kinds of residences, and this was the first time she'd heard of a layout diagram.

Moreover, even if such diagrams exist, they're a non‑profitable business.

The Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan Trade Association deals in many ventures, truly diverse, but they never engage in unprofitable ones.

Hu Rui replied, "Li Dao You, sorry, we don't have the layout diagram you mentioned, but if you need it, I can have someone make one for you!"

"Then it's up to you, Third Miss!"

Wang Ping'an was unreserved, saying, "Find a layout diagram from an era that looks ancient—of course, I mean the residence itself is ancient.

This novel you to

Ideally a layout diagram from the previous era, or even from a more distant age!"

"A layout diagram from the previous era?"

Hu Rui's brows twitched slightly; she had originally thought Wang Ping'an inexplicably wanted to buy a layout diagram here to build a cave residence.

But hearing this, Wang Ping'an didn't seem to be building—no, it didn't seem he was building a residence for himself.

Indeed.

If Wang Ping'an wishes to build his own residence, he can do so entirely at his own will, however he pleases.

He doesn't need any so‑called layout diagram at all!

Wang Ping'an said disappointedly, "Third Miss, you can't find a layout diagram from the previous era or even more ancient times?"

"Li Dao You, you're underestimating the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan Trade Association—no, you're underestimating the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan!"

Hu Rui huffed in displeasure, her face full of arrogance, and said, "Not only a layout diagram from the previous era, even one from a far more ancient time, I can find for you!"

"Layout diagram?"

It doesn't exist, but they can commission someone to draw it; the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan has many elders whose residences were built in the previous era or even earlier.

Not to mention their main line, the Qingqiu Fox Clan, one of the oldest races in heaven and earth; surely the earliest residences can be traced to the Qingqiu Fox Clan.

Wang Ping'an thanked, "Thanks for the trouble, Third Miss!"

"You're welcome; helping you, Li Dao You, is my pleasure!"

Hu Rui's expression turned serious, unable to suppress the curiosity in her heart, she asked: "However, I am curious, why Fellow Daoist Li, do you want the layout of the cave dwelling, or is it the layout of a cave dwelling from a previous era, or even an even more ancient one?"

Of course.

If there's anything you don't want outsiders to know, Fellow Daoist Li, you don't need to say it!

"Third Miss, I really don't want to tell outsiders about this, but telling you, Third Miss, is fine!"

Wang Ping'an said a phrase to draw them closer, then continued to explain: "I intend to build nearby a cave dwelling left behind by a cultivator from a previous era, secretly leak information to lure in those with ill intentions, to act on heaven's behalf, so they won't live too long and commit more heinous acts that anger heaven and resent people."

(End of chapter)