After wandering the streets for a while, he finally stopped in front of a small stall and began to examine it closely.
The vendor had set up a simple table with several parchment scrolls on it.
However, the scrolls were all labeled and infused with spiritual qi to prevent others from peeking.
"How much is this Qi Gathering Pill’s pill formula?"
This time, besides exchanging for some spirit stones and purchasing new medicinal herbs, he also needed to buy a few first rank pill formulas.
The efficacy of the Spiritual Energy Pills was weakening, so he had to prepare in advance.
The scarred cultivator glanced at him and said indifferently.
"Twenty spirit stones."
This price was not high, but it was not low either.
If such a pill formula fell into the hands of a large sect, it would naturally have infinite uses.
The effects of the Qi Gathering Pill were excellent, making it the best medicinal pill for advancing one’s cultivation at the same level.
But it was not a specialized pill formula for detoxification, breaking illusions, or strengthening the divine soul.
Furthermore, the Qi Gathering Pill formula was widely circulated, so its overall price was not considered too high for its rank.
Zhou Chen did not hurry to speak. He casually put down the Qi Gathering Pill and picked up the Soul Nurturing Pill next to it.
"And this one?"
"Thirty spirit stones, no haggling."
The scarred man replied without even turning his head.
Medicinal pills that helped the soul during the Qi Refining Stage were already extremely scarce.
Moreover, the souls of Qi Refining cultivators were not very strong.
Most medicinal pills used to strengthen the soul were second rank or higher.
Zhou Chen chose another pill formula for advancing cultivation and one for clearing the mind and calming the heart, spending a total of over seventy spirit stones.
Initially, the scarred man saw Zhou Chen looking here and there without any intention of buying, and he was getting a bit annoyed.
But seeing Zhou Chen take out spirit stones without hesitation, the scarred man’s eyes lit up. He rubbed his hands slightly and immediately changed his attitude.
"Fellow Daoist, please come back often."
Even if he kept the stall for over a month, he might not sell a hundred spirit stones’ worth.
Many Qi Refining Stage disciples only had a net worth of twenty or thirty spirit stones.
Using these hundred plus spirit stones to purchase medicinal pills would be enough to advance a minor realm.
After purchasing all the necessary pill formulas, Zhou Chen planned to leave.
But before leaving the black market, he heard the system’s voice.
[Detected a target for friendly exchange within ten meters of the host with a comprehensive score exceeding 80 points.]
[Name: Li Ronger]
[Cultivation: Ninth layer of Qi Refining]
[Cultivation Technique: Yin Yang Art]
[Spiritual Root: Three Spiritual Roots (Water, Earth, Fire)]
[Charm: 89]
[Comprehensive Score: 85 points]
Following the system’s guidance, Zhou Chen looked toward the corner on the left.
Standing there was an exceptionally well behaved girl with bright eyes.
She had a petite and cute figure, pure and moving features, and wore her hair in shoulder length twin tails.
Zhou Chen took a look and saw it was an acquaintance.
Yin Yang Sect outer sect disciple, Li Ronger.
This girl entered the Yin Yang Sect at the same time as Bai Xue.
However, compared to Bai Xue, who appeared well behaved but was actually willing to give everything for cultivation resources, Li Ronger had a simple nature and performed sect missions day after day.
Gradually accumulating spirit stones, she had also found a dual cultivation dao companion within the sect.
At this moment, Li Ronger was in a heated argument with several women.
"A thumb sized Thunder Crystal Stone, and you are actually selling it for four spirit stones?"
She wanted to spend her own money to refine a set of magical artifacts.
She was currently missing one Thunder Crystal Stone, but it turned out they were sold out in Jiangdu City.
Furthermore, Thunder Crystal Stones were products of the Chaotic Star Sea, and very few were produced in Tiannan Province.
Li Ronger did not want to waste time, so she came to the black market to try her luck, but the other party was asking for an exorbitant price.
The girl in the pink dress smiled faintly, still maintaining a proper smile.
"Fellow Daoist, this was brought by our Miaoyin Sect from the Chaotic Star Sea. The journey was dangerous and long, so the selling price is naturally a bit higher."
Li Ronger also knew that doing business was a matter of mutual consent.
If she felt the other party’s price was too high, she simply would not buy it.
The main issue was that she had previously purchased a large amount of materials to refine the magical artifact, exhausting her savings.
She only had two spirit stones left, not even half a stone more.
Zhou Chen’s expression paused when he heard the name Miaoyin Sect.
"Miaoyin Sect?"
Even though he had not left the Yin Yang Sect for years, he knew of the Miaoyin Sect’s reputation.
It was not because the Miaoyin Sect’s overall power was particularly strong, or because their old ancestor’s cultivation was high.
The Miaoyin Sect originated from the Chaotic Star Sea and was not within Tiannan Province. Its power was similar to that of the Yin Yang Sect.
But the sect leader of the Miaoyin Sect, Zi Ling, was hailed as the number one beauty of the Chaotic Star Sea.
Li Ronger was reluctant to give up on the Thunder Crystal Stone.
She was afraid that if she missed this one, it would not be easy to find another next time.
But she simply could not produce the spirit stones, and the two Miaoyin Sect female cultivators refused to lower the price.
"Four spirit stones. I will pay for her."
Hearing this somewhat familiar voice, Li Ronger turned her head in surprise.
Seeing Zhou Chen walking over with large strides, she said in shock.
"Senior Brother Zhou, why are you here?"
A gentle smile hung on Zhou Chen’s weathered face.
"Just passing by."
As he spoke, he did not give Li Ronger a chance to refuse.
He pulled out four spirit stones and handed them to the Miaoyin Sect disciple.
Just after spotting Li Ronger, he had found a place to cancel the effect of the Shapeshifting Talisman.
He was not some selfless saint. Even if he was doing a good deed, he had to let her know who was helping her.
The female cultivators of the Miaoyin Sect did not care who gave the money. As long as someone paid, they would take it.
Before Li Ronger could understand what was happening, a Thunder Crystal Stone appeared in her hand.
Feeling the cold sensation in her palm, she said with a hint of apology.
"This... this is not very good."
Four spirit stones was not a lot, but it was not a small amount either.
Receiving a favor for nothing still made her feel very uncomfortable.
Zhou Chen waved his hand and said with a kind smile.
"Junior Sister Li, my time is almost up. These things are not brought into life, and they will not be taken into death."
"If I can help my junior brothers and sisters, it can be considered a good thing."
He did not expect to win over Li Ronger easily.
This girl was simple minded. If they were fated in the future, it would be best to develop their relationship and gain some favorability points.
But if there was no fate, then so be it.
Li Ronger smiled brightly and nodded like a chick pecking at grain.
"Then thank you, Senior Brother Zhou. I will return these four spirit stones to you in the future."
If it were anyone else, it would indeed be hard to believe so easily.
But she had heard of Zhou Chen’s reputation in the sect and knew he was one of the few kind hearted senior brothers in the outer sect.
Usually, if he could help, he would assist his junior brothers and sisters.
[Congratulations to the host. Li Ronger’s favorability has increased by twenty. Once the host has a friendly exchange with her, the favorability points can be used by the host.]
Currently, the two of them had not had any substantial contact.
Therefore, even though the favorability had increased, Zhou Chen could not use it yet.
Besides, Zhou Chen did not care about four spirit stones.
He nodded with a smile again, intending to leave.
Looking at Zhou Chen’s departing figure, Li Ronger’s face was filled with gratitude.
"Senior Brother Zhou is truly a good person."
Previously, when she heard others say Senior Brother Zhou was a good person, she found it a bit hard to believe.
After all, in the deceptive cultivation world, as long as there are enough benefits, even brothers killing each other is a common occurrence.
Where would a good person come from?
Zhou Chen had not walked more than a few steps when his body suddenly tensed up, and the hair all over his body stood on end.
Was he being watched?
But paying four spirit stones for a fellow junior sister.
Such a thing could be big or small. Any slightly capable Qi Refining cultivator would have a net worth of dozens of spirit stones.
Who would treat him like a fat sheep to be slaughtered? Who was watching him?