Thinking of how Wen Hanshan had risked danger just to come and ask about his situation, Luo Xingyao couldn’t help feeling a faint warmth ripple through his heart. The corners of his lips lifted slightly.
“Thank you for your concern, Brother Wen. The cultivation method I practice is called the Ten Thousand Heavens Star Formula. It was left to me by my mother, and it’s perfectly complete, there are no missing sections.”
“The Ten Thousand Heavens Star Formula…” Wen Hanshan repeated softly, his eyes flashing with sudden understanding.
When Luo Xingyao had first drawn spiritual energy into his body, Wen Hanshan had already sensed that the starry sea above seemed to stir ever so faintly. The fluctuation was so subtle that even he couldn’t be sure if it had been real or simply a coincidence.
Now that he heard the name of Luo Xingyao’s technique, everything fell neatly into place.
Though Luo Xingyao hadn’t said what grade the Ten Thousand Heavens Star Formula belonged to, even just from the name, Wen Hanshan could deduce much about it.
And after hearing that the method was inherited from family and complete without flaw, the tension in his expression finally eased.
“In that case,” he said evenly, “you may continue cultivating it without worry. As for me, I’m a sword cultivator. The technique I follow is called the Extinction Sword Art.”
Luo Xingyao blinked in slight surprise but quickly understood Wen Hanshan’s intention.
It was clear that since he had revealed his own technique, Wen Hanshan felt it only fair to “repay honesty with honesty” and share his in return. It was a quiet exchange of trust, something that subtly deepened the bond between them.
Perhaps because of that very exchange, the air between the two seemed to grow a touch closer, warmer than before.
Finally, Luo Xingyao could no longer hold back from bringing up something that had been on his mind. “Brother Wen, do you still remember the matter I mentioned to you a few days ago?”
“You mean that you wanted to find something to do?” Wen Hanshan recalled it immediately, then asked, “Have you thought of what that might be?”
Since Luo Xingyao had brought it up again, it was obvious he had already made some plans. For him, the most ideal occupation would naturally be that of an alchemist.
Especially after what he had seen in the black market, where a single alchemist could name an outrageous price of ten spirit pearls with just a word.
He had realized what a lucrative profession it was. In the original texts of this world, alchemists were among the highest-earning practitioners of all.
To Luo Xingyao, becoming an alchemist was not only a perfect match for his own talents and spiritual root attributes, but also something that deeply interested him.
And yet, the very first profession he eliminated from consideration was precisely that one.
The reason was simple, cultivation professions like alchemists, artificers, talisman masters, or array masters were all notoriously exclusive. They guarded their knowledge like dragons hoarding treasure, rarely passing their true skills to outsiders.
Of all these trades, alchemists were the most secretive of all.
Even a basic book that introduced common spiritual herbs cost at least a thousand gold taels, and as for genuine pill recipes, those could fetch astronomical prices.
Even the simplest fasting pill, the kind every cultivator knew, could sell for an outrageous sum.
Given that reality, training an alchemist from scratch required resources and wealth beyond imagination, something completely out of reach for a small, modest household like the one he and Wen Hanshan shared.
Once alchemy was ruled out, Luo Xingyao’s thoughts turned to the three acres of farmland behind their courtyard.
As someone who had always loved farming in his previous life as a modern Chinese man, the sight of that fertile, albeit neglected plot of land had instantly stirred his instincts. The moment he saw it, he had already begun planning how to cultivate it.
Though the fields in the backyard contained only a faint trace of spiritual energy, something that the house’s spirit attendant had also mentioned when the deed was signed. They could at least sustain low-consumption crops like spirit rice.
When he and Wen Hanshan had gone to the black market earlier, Luo Xingyao had made sure to check the price of spirit rice.
Perhaps because most cultivators in Xilin County preferred the quicker wealth of hunting in the Endless Forest, agricultural goods like spirit rice remained fairly expensive.
Based on the records of the Tianming Continent, a single acre could yield six hundred catties of spirit rice, with three harvests a year.
If he planted all three acres, even after setting aside enough for their daily needs, they would still have a decent surplus.
According to the market rate in Xilin County, the income might not make them rich overnight but it would certainly ensure they’d never have to worry about food or clothing again.
Having done all the mental calculations, Luo Xingyao shared his thoughts openly.
“Now that I’ve only just reached the stage of drawing qi into the body, it’s still too dangerous to go out and take on work. After thinking it over, the only resource we can make use of for now is the farmland behind the house.”
“If you’ve already thought it through, then go ahead,” Wen Hanshan replied calmly. “Had you wanted to take on a job outside, I might have advised against it. But if it’s just tending to the backyard, there’s no harm in it.”
“In that case, I’ll have to trouble Brother Wen to accompany me to the market to buy some rice seeds,” Luo Xingyao said with a grin.
“Alright.” Wen Hanshan nodded. Knowing how dangerous Xilin County could be, he wouldn’t let Luo Xingyao wander off alone.
Neither of them were the kind to dawdle. Since they’d made up their minds, they quickly tidied themselves and headed out toward the market.
Xilin County’s market was a bustling, well-established place, filled with all kinds of goods imaginable. For Luo Xingyao who was stepping into such a lively setting for the first time since arriving on the Tianming Continent, it was nothing short of dazzling.
He hadn’t been walking for long before he found himself completely captivated by the colorful stalls and strange wares, forgetting for a moment the purpose of their trip as he drifted from booth to booth, eyes full of curiosity.
Unfortunately, this particular section of the market specialized in practical, everyday goods.
Unlike the black market, which was a haven for stolen or dubious treasures, or the rogue cultivator bazaar, where adventurers sold their strange findings from expeditions, this market’s main feature was its neat rows of ordinary, standardized wares, nothing particularly rare or exciting.
After a while, Luo Xingyao realized there wasn’t much novelty to be found here. Recalling the reason they’d come, he turned to Wen Hanshan with an apologetic smile.
“This is my first time seeing such a lively place. I must’ve gotten distracted for a moment. You must think me foolish.”
“It’s nothing,” Wen Hanshan replied. “If you’re interested, we can look around a bit more.”
From their earlier conversations, he already knew about Luo Xingyao’s past, his quiet life and his unfamiliarity with such crowds. Seeing him wide eyed with curiosity didn’t annoy him in the slightest.
“That won’t be necessary. Perhaps another day we can visit the rogue cultivator bazaar instead.” Luo Xingyao shook his head. Ordinary goods didn’t interest him much.
Wen Hanshan didn’t insist. Turning, he led the way into a nearby seed shop.
The price of spirit rice seeds, like the rice itself, was fairly high in Xilin County, but still within what they could afford.
After confirming the amount he needed, Luo Xingyao suddenly reached out and stopped Wen Hanshan’s hand just as he was about to pay.
Before Wen could ask, Luo Xingyao turned toward the shopkeeper with a cheerful smile, “Shopkeeper, we’re buying quite a bit here. Surely the price can be discussed?”
Wen Hanshan’s upbringing had been noble; he had never developed the habit of bargaining. Luo Xingyao had noticed that early on and to him, it was an intolerable flaw that needed correction.
Having grown up under his grandfather’s care and inherited a master-level talent for haggling, Luo Xingyao didn’t hesitate to strike while the iron was hot.
The shopkeeper, startled by the sudden request, instinctively looked past him to Wen Hanshan, hoping for a more reasonable response.
But before he could speak, Luo Xingyao cheerfully cut him off, “In our household, I’m the one in charge. My elder brother doesn’t make the decisions.”
Wen Hanshan didn’t argue. Though he personally disliked bargaining, he was quick to yield, silently retracting his hand and letting Luo Xingyao take the lead.
And with that, his naturally composed, cold-faced presence suddenly became an unexpected advantage, standing there quietly, he looked so imposing that the shopkeeper didn’t dare protest too much.
“The young master must understand, our shop runs on thin profit margins,” the shopkeeper said quickly, smiling nervously. “This price is already the lowest we can offer.”
“Really can’t make it a bit cheaper?” Luo Xingyao raised an eyebrow, the picture of disbelief.
“Truly can’t!” The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly, his expression sincere.
“Then I suppose we’ll have to look elsewhere,” Luo Xingyao sighed, shaking his head regretfully. “We wouldn’t want to make things difficult for you, shopkeeper. Come, Brother Wen, let’s see what other stores are offering.”
He turned to leave and hadn’t even taken two steps before a hurried voice called out behind them, “Wait! Wait, young masters, of course it can be discussed!”
“Oh, but how could I trouble you, shopkeeper?” Luo Xingyao said with mock hesitation, his tone full of polite concern.
“No trouble at all! Look, you wanted a hundred catties of spirit rice seed, along with these farming tools. Altogether, that comes to one thousand two hundred and thirteen gold. I’ll round it down, thirteen gold off! Make it an even one thousand two hundred, how about that?”
Luo Xingyao tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Thirteen gold, hm…” He repeated it slowly, clearly unimpressed.
But the flicker of unease on the shopkeeper’s face told him that this was likely the best deal he could get. His eyes wandered across the shop until a new idea came to him.
“How about this,” he said finally. “We’ll take the deal at that price but I couldn’t help noticing some first-grade spiritual herb seeds in your store. Why not include a few as a gift?”
“This…” The shopkeeper hesitated, taken aback by the unexpected request.
“I don’t need much,” Luo Xingyao pressed gently. “Just ten seeds of each type, to experiment with.”
The shopkeeper hesitated for a few more moments, then gave in with a forced laugh, “Alright, alright, that’s acceptable.”
After all, the seeds he mentioned were cheap, a handful from each jar wouldn’t even amount to a single gold tael, and compared to the overall profit of the sale, it was nothing.
“Young master truly knows how to do business,” the shopkeeper said with a flattering grin as he worked swiftly to pack up the seeds and tools. “I’ll barely make anything on this deal! Still, if you ever need more supplies, don’t forget old me, come often!”
That, too, was part of the man’s calculation. Buying a hundred catties of seed meant the young man planned to farm, and once he harvested his first crop, there would surely be more trade to come.
Luo Xingyao smiled. “Of course.”
After signaling Wen Hanshan to pay, he took the bundles and led the way out.
When they were finally some distance away, Luo Xingyao began his impromptu lecture, “See that? That’s how business works, start high, end lower. Next time, don’t just hand over whatever price they name, understand?”
“Mm.” Wen Hanshan nodded, though it was clear he didn’t fully grasp why Luo Xingyao had gone through all that trouble just to save a few dozen coins. Still, seeing how pleased the other was, he didn’t say anything to dampen his mood.
“Now that we’ve got the seeds, and it’s still early,” Luo Xingyao said, bright-eyed, “Let’s get home and start preparing the fields. In a few days, we can start planting.”
He had just turned to go when Wen Hanshan gently tugged him back. Luo Xingyao looked up, confused, only to see Wen tilt his chin toward a nearby clothing shop.
“Since we’re already out,” Wen said, “We may as well get you some new clothes. The ones you have are all too small.”
Luo Xingyao looked down at himself and realized he hadn’t even noticed.
He wasn’t particularly picky about clothing, so it hadn’t crossed his mind but now that Wen Hanshan had mentioned it, he couldn’t deny his current robes were indeed a bit short at the sleeves.
They entered the shop together. The garments inside were mostly ordinary, mundane items without any spiritual enchantment but for someone like Luo Xingyao, who had only just begun cultivation, they were perfectly fine.
He picked out three simple but comfortable outfits and headed to the counter.
Before the shopkeeper could quote the total, Luo Xingyao shot Wen Hanshan a meaningful glance, a reminder of the “bargaining lesson” he’d just taught.
Wen paused, then, under the pressure of that expectant look, cleared his throat. “Can the price be discussed?”
The proprietress, a charming woman with eyes that sparkled mischievously, covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, “Oh, young master, surely you jest. We’re but a small shop, and these are already the lowest prices. Besides, a man as distinguished as you, would such trivial coins even matter?”
Her words, though a refusal, flowed with a teasing lilt that carried an almost bewitching charm.
Wen Hanshan was unmoved by her flirtation. After a short silence, he said simply, “Alright,” and paid the full price on the spot.
By the time Luo Xingyao recovered from his speechless disbelief, the two were already back on the road.
As they walked, his expression shifted several times, caught between exasperation and resignation.
Wen Hanshan noticed immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“I suddenly understand the meaning of the phrase, ‘This is the worst batch of students I’ve ever taught,’” Luo Xingyao muttered darkly.
“What?” Wen asked blankly. Having never experienced compulsory education, the idiom was lost on him.
“Nothing,” Luo Xingyao sighed. “Just… from now on, let me handle anything involving money.”
After all, in this world, no task was too difficult, so long as one knew when to give up.
Luo Xingyao had already abandoned the idea of tutoring Wen Hanshan in the art of bargaining. It wasn’t that his “student” lacked talent; it was simply that haggling did not suit someone like him at all.
Wen Hanshan came from an aristocratic lineage. Even though he’d faced hardship, it hadn’t diminished his natural poise and refinement.
For a man like him, elegant and untarnished as moonlight, money and barter were vulgar intrusions, let alone the coarse act of haggling in the marketplace.
In the end, since they were living together, it was enough that one of them possessed the necessary street smarts.
“Alright,” Wen Hanshan agreed easily.
And so, by that simple exchange, the household’s financial authority, something others might have fought tooth and nail over was, between the two of them, decided in only a few casual words.
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
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← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Crossing OverChapter 2 · Lu XioaWuChapter 3 · UncleChapter 4 · Substitute MarriageChapter 5 · Travelling Through BookChapter 6 · SpaceChapter 7 · InheritanceChapter 8 · ExplanationChapter 9 · He familyChapter 10 · CompensateChapter 11 · WeddingChapter 12 · LeavingChapter 13 · SuspicionChapter 14 · Change SurnameChapter 14 · Change SurnameChapter 15 · SummaryChapter 16 · Family BusinessChapter 17 · ResettlementChapter 18 · DeterminationChapter 19 · TreatChapter 20 · Enter the TaoChapter 21 · Private TrainingChapter 22 · BreakthroughChapter 23 · ExperienceChapter 24 Part 1 · Questions and AnswersChapter 24 Part 2 · Questions and answersChapter 25 · GiftChapter 25 Part 1 · GiftChapter 26 Part 1 · Sword IntentChapter 26 Part 2 · Sword IntentChapter 27 Part 1 · SelectChapter 27 Part 2 · SelectChapter 28 Part 1 · PastChapter 28 Part 2 · PastChapter 29 Part 1 · ConfessionChapter 29 Part 2 · ConfessionChapter 30 Part 1 · TradeChapter 30 Part 2 · TradeChapter 31 Part 1 · Male LeadChapter 31 Part 2 · Male LeadChapter 32 Part 1 · LuckChapter 32 Part 2 · LuckChapter 33 Part 1 · GuessingChapter 33 Part 2 · GuessingChapter 34 Part 1 · SystemChapter 34 Part 2 · SystemChapter 35 · OpportunityChapter 36 Part 1 · LingquanChapter 36 Part 2 · LingquanChapter 37 Part 1 · Hundred Flowers PartChapter 37 Part 2 · Hundred Flowers PartChapter 38 · Worth itChapter 39 · SaintessChapter 40 · ExperimentChapter 41 · Vampire SystemChapter 42 · NotesChapter 43 · WarningChapter 44 · PlanChapter 45 · Fellow VillagersChapter 46 · AssimilationChapter 47 · IlliterateChapter 48 · Pak WahChapter 49 · Sudden EnlightenmentChapter 50 · Wen ZhiChapter 51 · CarrierChapter 52 · LeavingChapter 53 · Follow UpChapter 54 · OutrageousChapter 55 · OnceChapter 56 · TeasingChapter 57 · Playing aroundChapter 58 · Beast fireChapter 59 · Watching a PlayChapter 60 · Extermination of the entire clanChapter 61 · ChoiceChapter 62 · PossessionChapter 63 · CalculationChapter 64 · GuaranteedChapter 65 · Grand OpeningChapter 66 · Grand OpeningChapter 67 · Protecting one’s ownChapter 68 · Secret RealmChapter 69 · BetrayalChapter 70 · DetailsChapter 71 · FramedChapter 72 · MeetingChapter 73 · KillChapter 74 · MapChapter 75 · FoundationChapter 76 · Strange Phenomenon!Chapter 77 · ExchangeChapter 78 · LetterChapter 79 · ShortcutChapter 80 · God of Slaughter!Chapter 81 · Poison PillChapter 82 · Lou ShuChapter 83 · ProgressChapter 84 · An attemptChapter 85 · Movement and StillnessChapter 86 · Good intentionsChapter 87 · ChangeChapter 88 · Childhood friendChapter 89 · ThoughtsChapter 90 · Old storiesChapter 91 · HeritageChapter 92 · TestChapter 93 · LoverChapter 94 · Heartfelt wishesChapter 95 · MasterChapter 96 · TeachingChapter 97 · IllusionChapter 98 · Mutual RestraintChapter 99 · ObstructionChapter 100 · PalaceChapter 101 · Core TechniqueChapter 102 · OathChapter 103 · Dual cultivationChapter 104 · AccessChapter 105 · VulnerabilityChapter 106 · DensityChapter 107 · WantedChapter 108 · EntrustChapter 109 · RevisitChapter 110 · MonitoringChapter 111 · Secret RealmChapter 112 · NourishChapter 113 · InventoryChapter 114 · Get Rich QuicklyChapter 115 · ElderChapter 116 · Grand FormationChapter 117 · Heaven’s WillChapter 118 · BountyChapter 119 · GainChapter 120 · BlameChapter 121 · ChattingChapter 122 · GuessChapter 123 · Zheng TianChapter 124 · SparringChapter 125 · Sword intentChapter 126 · KenshinChapter 127 · Auditing a classChapter 128 · CoincidenceChapter 129 · ContradictionChapter 130 · RouteChapter 131 · CostChapter 132 · ConfiscatedChapter 133 · Holding a grudgeChapter 134 · SupportChapter 135 · DeteriorationChapter 136 · Unable toChapter 137 · PriceChapter 138 · VariantChapter 139 · Start AnewChapter 140 · ShamelessChapter 141 · Black PotChapter 142 · Benefiting fromChapter 143 · PieChapter 144 · DifferencesChapter 145 · DetoxificationChapter 146 · Current situationChapter 147 · TeasingChapter 148 · IntelligenceChapter 149 · Returned GiftChapter 150 · Old debtChapter 151 · FleshChapter 152 · OpeningChapter 153 · GrudgesChapter 154 · RegretChapter 155 · Gang fightChapter 156 · GentleChapter 157 · ComplaintChapter 158 · ScreamsChapter 159 · GeniusChapter 160 · ConcernChapter 161 · Hidden StoryChapter 162 · StingyChapter 163 · Guilty conscienceChapter 164 Part 1 · StruggleChapter 164 Part 2 · StruggleChapter 165 · Win or LoseChapter 166 · TasteChapter 167 · Shifting The BlameChapter 168 · MoonlightChapter 169 · Past EventChapter 170 · RegretChapter 171 · RetributionChapter 172 · Cause and EffectChapter 173 · BackgroundChapter 174 · FlatteryChapter 175 · HonestChapter 176 · BookkeepingChapter 177 · FarewellChapter 178 · GuidelineChapter 179 · BottleneckChapter 180 · HabitChapter 181 · Casual ChatChapter 182 · Flowing WaterChapter 183 · RumoursChapter 184 · Seeking AdviceChapter 185 · PityChapter 186 · FormationChapter 187 · BasicChapter 188 · Fake TombChapter 189 · BewareChapter 190 · TraceChapter 191 · DiscussChapter 192 · Ancestral preceptsChapter 193 · Loose CultivatorChapter 194 · AllocationChapter 195 · Thank you for your kindnessChapter 196 · ExplanationChapter 197 · ErrorChapter 198 · Culinary skillsChapter 199 · Starry SeaChapter 200 · ComparisonChapter 201 · FrustratedChapter 202 · Don’t watchChapter 203 · LonelinessChapter 204 · NoChapter 205 · Exposing ShortcutsChapter 206 · CraftsmanshipChapter 207 · Bottom LineChapter 208 · StrikeChapter 209 · Ten GoldChapter 210 · Pretentious