Chapter 51

  Not far down the mountain, I saw the seven-story pagoda standing in front of me.

  On the pagoda, a faint light flickered, and Xu Ziqing suddenly felt that there was a highly cultivated cultivator living on the tower... He immediately let go of this thought. In a place like this, it's only natural for high-ranking cultivators to be present, no need to be surprised.

  As he walked to the front of the tower, there was no one outside guarding it. When entering, a soft glow was emitted from the token, presumably for identity verification. Xu Ziqing didn't panic and simply walked in directly.

  After entering, it suddenly became bright and spacious, different from what was seen outside. The tower is very spacious, although people come and go, it still doesn't appear crowded.

  Xu Ziqing raised his eyes and looked around, carefully observing the situation in the tower.

  The tower appeared to be octagonal, with a cave at each corner, but they were all sealed. In front of each cave sat a cultivator, each with a cultivation base of around seven or eight layers of Qi refinement. Even among the scattered cultivators outside the alliance, or in those large aristocratic families and sects, they would be considered excellent talents.

  However, these people all had a smile on their faces and an attitude that was quite warm. They were the managers of one floor in the tower, specifically handling transactions for this floor.

  Xu Ziqing took a few steps closer and suddenly understood.

  Originally, a piece of silk was hung on the high tower cave, with dense and small characters, all of which were resources collected by the administrator in charge of this cave, with corresponding contribution marks above, at a glance.

  In front of the cave, there was nothing but empty space, yet it pushed everyone back three steps away, showing that a ban must have been set up here, and ordinary cultivators could not break through.

  It's quite convenient. Xuzi Qing thought to himself. Then he took a step forward, sweeping his eyes over the small characters on the eight tower-shaped brocades, and also counted them in his mind.

  Although he could see clearly, he didn't mean to take out all the objects at once. Instead, he turned around and headed towards the second floor of the treasure tower.

  As he stepped onto the wooden ladder, Xuzi Qing only felt a slight increase in pressure on his body. With a turn of the spiritual energy around him, the pressure completely disappeared.

  It seems he has crossed the second forbidden line.

  The wooden ladder wasn't high and soon wrapped around the second floor. Xu Ziqing raised his eyes to look again, and what he saw were still eight tower caves, but in front of each tower cave was a small shop.

  Eight attendants with similar cultivation stood in the small shops, conducting transactions with people.

  Xu Ziqing immediately understood that the first layer was to acquire resources from the hands of the monks, and exchange them for flowing contributions. The second layer was to embed existing resources in each small shop, allowing the monks to freely exchange the resources they needed.

  The classification is very clear, with categories such as spiritual elixirs, talismans and magical tools, cultivation techniques, spiritual materials and herbs, food and miscellaneous items, each managed by a person in charge, making it quite convenient.

  Xu Ziqing still looked at each one individually and silently calculated in his heart. He went up to the third floor again.

  When crossing the wooden ladder, the pressure increased a bit more, but it didn't hinder Xu Ziqing much, and he still passed through smoothly.

  By the time they reached the third floor, there were suddenly many fewer people.

  This tower still has eight corner caves, and the monks are still sitting in these caves. However, these monks are not ordinary managers, but high-ranking monks who have cultivated nine or even ten layers of aura.

  Xu Ziqing also had some discernment, and although he couldn't fully determine the extent of these cultivators' cultivation, he could tell from their aura that they were not people to be trifled with.

  And the use of these unapproachable cultivators is precisely to mediate conflicts between scattered cultivator alliances.

  Apart from the Tower Cave, all other places had many rush mats laid out. In front of the rush mats were silk fabrics, and on top of the silk fabrics were incense burners, inside which were some ritual instruments and spiritual elixirs.

  This floor is where monks freely exchange resources.

  Because some resources are hard to come by for cultivators, they feel that it's not worth exchanging contributions in the first layer, so they set up stalls in this third layer to try their luck.

  Xu Ziqing couldn't help but feel a little sentimental when he saw this place.

  This loose cultivator alliance's trading hall is indeed perfect in every way, leaving no room for criticism.

  It's enough to have walked this far. Although Xu Ziqing was curious about what transactions were being made on the third floor and above, there was no need to rush for the time being. For now, he just wanted to take a look around this floor first and see if there were any useful things.

  He stopped in his tracks and began to look at each stall from left to right.

  A master wouldn't hawk his wares like a commoner, let alone these people who only came to exchange resources and not for a living, so they naturally had an air of haughtiness and detachment.

  Behind each stall, the monks sat cross-legged on a cushion, closing their eyes to cultivate their spirits, and some were secretly cultivating. They wouldn't do anything rude at all. If someone took a liking to something, they would go to the front of the stall and lightly knock on the prohibition sign. The prohibition sign moved, and the monk who had set up the prohibition sign woke up, and then they could discuss the transaction.

  Xu Ziqing walked silently, first stopping in front of the first stall.

  On this brocade, there are three or five pieces of magical instruments, two porcelain bottles, and a box of spiritual pearls.

  The quality of the artifacts is not bad, with two being mid-grade, one being low-grade, and one that seems to have a somewhat dimmed glow but still exudes a subtle aura of power, which, if not for some slight imperfections, might be close to top-grade.

  On the porcelain bottle, however, were written three small words "Bì Gǔ Dān", although inferior Bì Gǔ Dān can be found in any market, but to be able to take it out... isn't it a middle or high-quality one?

  Xu Ziqing didn't care about those magical tools, but he was slightly interested in the Biegu Dan and Lingzhu. However, he wondered what this cultivator wanted to exchange for them.

  He then turned his head to one side and looked at the brocade fabric.

  All I saw was written above:

  Exchange for Snake Faith Grass, 500 years or more; Clustered Yuan Grass, 800 years or more; Pear Date Flower, seven petals or more, red and yellow in two colors. All items seek middle grade or above, idle ones do not move their mouths.

  Xu Ziqing saw clearly and made up his mind.

  If it's a treasure-seeking device, he really doesn't have one, but if it's a spiritual herb, it's not difficult to obtain.

  Since it was a deal, Xu Ziqing stretched out his hand and lightly tapped the restriction.

  The monk suddenly opened his eyes, and a gleam of light flashed in them: "What is it that you want, Taoist friend?"

  Xu Ziqing smiled slightly: "I wonder what grade this Biegu Dan is?"

  The Taoist wore a blue robe, with his hair tied up in a loose knot, looking quite disheveled. However, his eyes were still clear and bright as he said, "A middle-grade Bu Gu Dan pill, there are ten pills in one bottle."

  Xu Ziqing calculated that twenty pills of Biegu Dan could make ten years of fasting, which was very useful. He thought about it and then put his hand into his sleeve. When he took it out, there was an extra tightly wrapped leaf package in his palm: "Fellow Taoist wants snake faith grass, I have two plants here, don't know if you like them."

  Luotuo Xiu saw Xu Ziqing's attitude was generous and not polite, snapped his fingers to break the seal, took over the leaf package, opened it and looked - suddenly spiritual energy filled the air, a pungent smell floated around, gathering air formed a snake-like illusory shadow.

  "Is this a high-quality Snake Faith Grass?" He exclaimed in surprise, then lowered his head to sniff again, "This vintage is over 700 years old."

  Xu Ziqing smiled and said, "How about this?" He had a thousand-year-old snake gall grass in his sleeve, but he also learned some things along the way and knew that wealth shouldn't be revealed too openly. So he compromised and took out the one with the least years on it.

  Luo Tuo Xiu Shi was overjoyed: "The Snake Faith Grass is indeed rare, fellow Taoist has such a treasure, these two bottles of Bi Gu Dan will be given to you." After finishing speaking, he swept the two porcelain bottles into Xu Zi Qing's hands.

  Xu Ziqing put away the Dan, seeing that he was quite sincere in his transactions, and asked again: "After this transaction is completed, I still have some yuan grass, can you..."

  Luotuo Xiu still hadn't finished listening, but his expression was already agitated: "Fellow Taoist, do you have a bunch of Yuanyuan grass?"

  Xu Ziqing coughed lightly and took out another leaf package: "But there's only one plant."

  Luo Tuo Xiu hastily took over, opened it and took a look, and immediately smiled with joy: "It's indeed the 800-year-old Cuiyuan grass, and it's of high quality."

  He was overjoyed to have obtained the Snake Faith Grass, but the Clusters of Yuan Grass were even rarer and could be considered one of the most difficult-to-obtain spiritual grasses. Not to mention that it was of such good quality, often people would hold a large sum of money and still be unable to obtain it.

  Luotuo Xiu Shi had not held much hope, just trying his luck, and set up a stall here. For days on end, no one came to ask about it, he was very disappointed, but after all, he urgently needed it, so he couldn't help but guard it day after day, feeling extremely anxious. Unexpectedly, today the two kinds of spiritual grass that he needed most were both encountered, and he was overjoyed beyond expectation.

  Luotuo Xiu Shi hastily said, "Fellow Daoist, what do you want? Just say it. I have several magical instruments here, all of which are quite powerful. If Fellow Daoist fancies any of them, feel free to try them out on the spot."

  Xu Ziqing listened to his rapid speech, then shook his head and smiled: "I don't want those artifacts, but rather...". He dropped his gaze on the box of Lingzhu, "Fellow Daoist thinks this bunch of Yuancǎo is worth how much, just exchange it with me for a Lingzhu."

  Upon hearing this, the carefree cultivator was somewhat taken aback.

  "What a precious thing this bunch of yuan grass is! And yet, this young monk who has just arrived wants the lingzhu?"

  He didn't quite understand, but seeing Xu Ziqing's smiling face, it seemed like he was being sincere, so he held back. Anyway, he just wanted to buy some herbs, if he asked carelessly and annoyed the seller, it wouldn't be worth it.

  At this point, he simply said: "The value of the Cuiyuan grass is not low, and if you want to exchange it for a Lingzhu, then take this box away. If you have any other requests, you can also say so, and I will do my best to fulfill them."

  Although he is rough and unpolished, he doesn't take advantage of others.

  Xu Ziqing just smiled and said: "One box of Lingzhu is enough." Such a person with good character, although it's a fleeting encounter, can also form a good connection.

  Luotuo Xiu's eyes widened in surprise: "My name is Kang Wenyu, may I ask your Taoist friend?"

  Xu Ziqing also smiled: "I am Xu Ziqing."

  Kang Wenyu took the stall, stood up and cupped his hands: "The friendship of Xu Daoyou, Kang Mou has remembered. Now Kang Mou has an urgent matter to leave, I hope to meet with Daoyou again in the future."

  Xu Ziqing also nodded: "Farewell, Kang Daoyou."

  Kang Wenyu turned around and left, without any hesitation. Xuzi Qing obtained the Biegu Dan and Lingzhu, and he was also very satisfied. Afterwards, he suddenly thought of something, which was what he had been searching for.

  Xu Ziqing thought for a moment and then continued walking forward.

  Just now, Xu Ziqing and Kang Wenyu made a transaction, seemingly secretive, but how could they deceive the monks of this tower? Not to mention that Xu Ziqing took out those two kinds of spiritual grass, which was even more suspicious.

  As a result, Xu Ziqing had not yet left, and the eyes of the crowd of monks could not help but linger on him for a moment or two.

  Xu Ziqing felt a little embarrassed and immediately let go, quickly scanning over many stalls.

  Looking at him, most of the things exchanged here are ritual objects, and there aren't many other things. He walked for a while before stopping in front of a futon.

  On this couch, however, sat a woman, with a plain face and yellow shirt, her breath was calm.

  In front of her, on the stall, were more than a dozen small bags the size of a palm, with a shimmering light that was uncertain and uneven in thickness.

  What Xu Ziqing needs is this thing.

  Storage bag.

  Xu Ziqing quietly rubbed the storage ring with his hand hidden in his sleeve. He didn't know what grade this ring was, but since it could store souls, it must be extraordinary. To avoid trouble, Xu Ziqing thought it would be better to use this thing less often.

  Another was for his good friend Yun Lüe.

  At first, Yun Liao was forced to put the Blood Demon's physical body into the storage ring, and he was very disgusted. However, later on, he entered it, presumably with a bad feeling in his heart.

  Xu Ziqing also forgot about that matter, and felt somewhat apologetic towards Yun Liao, but considering Yun Liao's face, it wasn't good to bring it up again. So he wanted to make amends in other ways. Therefore, if he had this storage bag, not only could it conceal the matter of the storage ring, but also in the future when encountering similar situations, he wouldn't need to let his friend suffer that kind of humiliation again.

  He let out a soft sigh, Xu Ziqing knew that his cultivation was limited and he couldn't help Yun Liao in any way. He had always been the one receiving favors from Yun Liao. Since that was the case, he might as well put in some effort to make sure Yun Liao could feel comfortable and at ease when storing objects in the ring.

  In the blink of an eye, he was lost in thought, but Xu Ziqing's face didn't show it. He lightly knocked on the restriction and exchanged a glance with the woman: "Fellow Taoist, I wonder how much these storage bags are worth?"

  He didn't mean to disturb her, but the woman's tray didn't have what was needed, so Xu Ziqing had no choice but to wake her up and ask again. If he couldn't find it in his hands, he would have to search for it on the next two levels of the pagoda.

  The woman opened her eyes, and her face was ordinary, but this pair of eyes was like a star, very moving: "Beast Dan beast skin Lingcao law instrument, but as long as it is water attribute cultivator can use, all can take out and let me see."

  Xu Ziqing was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly understood.

  The strange way of the woman was not explicitly stated, but it turned out that she wanted to collect these things, which were quite complicated and inconvenient to write clearly. And the lower head clearly marked prices, indeed not as cost-effective as bartering with the upper head, also leaving some room for negotiation.

  However, Xu Ziqing secretly observed it once and felt a little regretful.

  Things of the water attribute are often more abundant in places with abundant water flow. Xu Ziqing found some by the creek and lake in the secret realm, but there weren't many, so he had very few on hand. Water-attribute demonic beasts rarely appear on shore, and in the secret realm, they were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns...

  After searching for a while, Xu Ziqing spread out his hand, on which there was a grain of beast dan, several dark black scales, and a leaf package. He said: "I only have one stage of water buffalo dan and a small amount of rib scales here, and this leaf package is water hyacinth grass, 200 years old, top grade, but only three plants."

  The woman glanced at him lightly and said, "I have one top-grade storage bag here, three mid-grade ones, and over ten low-grade ones. These items of yours can't be exchanged for a top-grade one; if you want a mid-grade one, choose one; if you want a low-grade one, choose three."

  Although the storage bag is considered a magical instrument, it differs from other magical instruments in that even high-quality ones are only slightly more durable and can hold more items. It's much easier to refine than other high-quality magical instruments. Therefore, Xu Zi Qing was able to exchange these few items for a mid-grade storage bag. However, this was also due to the high quality of the Water Crystal Grass; otherwise, he might have only been able to get a low-grade storage bag.

  Xu Ziqing didn't expect to be able to exchange it for a medium-quality storage bag, so he was quite delighted and immediately wanted to pick up the blue embroidered bamboo one.

  Just then, someone suddenly surrounded him and opened his mouth to say: "These three storage bags my brothers all want! One second-class iron rhinoceros horn and two first-class water python dan, how about it?" After finishing speaking, one hand came down and the three mid-grade storage bags were already taken away.

  Xu Ziqing's finger paused for a moment.

  He could naturally hear that all three beast dans were of the water attribute, especially one second-order beast dan, which was much rarer than a first-order beast dan.

  As expected, the woman also changed color slightly when she heard it, and when she looked at Xu Ziqing again, she was somewhat embarrassed.

  Logically speaking, this transaction should have been settled by now, and the two of them had already agreed on it. However, Xu Ziqing still hadn't received it, but the latecomer had already taken the initiative, so what was to be done?

  Xu Ziqing looked up and saw three cultivators appearing behind him, all of whom had some dust on their bodies, apparently just returning from searching for resources outside.

  However, after seeing clearly these three people, Xu Ziqing's heart flashed a hint of doubt.

  Seems like... I've seen it somewhere before?

  These three monks wore the same purple robes, all of whom were about twenty or thirty years old and looked quite handsome. Among them was a relatively rough and impatient one who shouted first: "Yesterday my brother came to ask you for the price, and then went to sea to hunt, it's easy to get these few grains of beast dan, you must sell them to us first!"

  Another person also said: "That's right, Water Girl, you can't be insincere."

  The woman showed a hint of helplessness on her face: "You did ask yesterday, but we didn't set a time. Today someone wants to buy it, and I naturally won't refuse."

  She indeed preferred the beast dan brought by these three old customers, but she also accepted the things from new customers, only one step away. She opened the door to purchase water-attributed resources, and if she went back on her word, business would not be possible.

  Xu Ziqing listened to their conversation and understood the whole story.

  The three Taoist priests on the other side exchanged a glance, and knew that this matter was still between these two parties of guests. One of them stepped forward and greeted Xu Zi Qing: "Fellow Taoist."

  Xu Ziqing smiled slightly: "Fellow Taoist, if you have something on your mind, feel free to speak directly."

  The monk said: "My brothers and I are going on a long trip, so we need a mid-grade storage bag. The original storage bag was damaged long ago, I don't know if you can spare one..."

  Xu Ziqing has always been "when others show me an inch of respect, I return a foot", the other party never wanted to use their power to coerce him, and he was just using it to cover up in front of others, so he wouldn't have any trouble with people. He said: "It doesn't matter, I'm just packing some small things, no big deal, just take three third-rate storage bags."

  The three monks all smiled: "Good fellow Daoist, thank you."

  The woman with the surname Shui was also quite satisfied. This approach did not offend either party, and it was naturally the best outcome.

  Xu Ziqing didn't say much either, took three low-grade storage bags and turned around to head towards the staircase.

  Three disciples saw that Xu Zi Qing was far away, and the one with a slightly rougher appearance spoke up first: "Second Brother, why are you being so polite to him?" The three of them had two who were at the eighth level of Qi refinement and one who was at the seventh level; they shouldn't be afraid of that young cultivator.

  The monk who spoke earlier did not answer, but instead turned to the tallest monk and asked: "Big brother, do you think this person looks familiar?"

  The one called "Big Brother" nodded: "Indeed familiar." His face sank, "At sea."

  The rough-looking man also came to his senses and exclaimed: "Ah! Is it him?"

  The author has something to say: First of all, thank you to all the lovely babies who threw thunderbolts. Then, recently everyone's comments have been so few... Is it because your hands are cold in winter and don't want to type or is it that you don't love me anymore? I hope it's the former and not the latter...

  threw a grenadeThrowing time: 2012-12-24 14:35:12

  Xiao Jiezi threw a grenade Throw time: 2012-12-24 19:03:07

  sth threw a rocket launcher Time: 2012-12-25 03:13:51