Chapter 48: Price Disparity
Upon entering the market, an immensely dense spiritual energy permeated the surroundings. With just a single inhale and exhale, Chen Beiwu already felt a considerable ease across his entire body.
‘The spiritual energy concentration within this market is likely already nearing the third-tier.’ He quietly admired in his heart.
This market inherently possessed a superior second-tier spiritual vein. Coupled with the assistance of a second-tier Spirit-Gathering Formation to draw in and concentrate the ambient spiritual energy, the internal concentration could be elevated to near third-tier levels.
Within the Immortal Alliance, such a spiritual haven overflowing with vitality was a cultivation site that even Foundation Establishment itinerant cultivators could only long for in vain. Only Golden Core True Persons were qualified to claim such places.
Yet here, in the Southern Wastes’ Earth Proliferation Territory, even a minor Foundation Establishment Family could occupy such a rare spiritual land. It was truly a case of feast or famine.
Chen Beiwu's expression remained unchanged, though he mused inwardly, ‘So this is the disparity between two worlds.’
“Senior, do you need a broker? Just one spirit stone for three days,” a sweet voice suddenly chimed.
Lowering his gaze, Chen Beiwu saw a petite figure clad in a grey-blue Daoist robe.
She was slender and small in frame. A string of pearls hung across her full chest, and a silver-plated fine belt encircled her waist, accentuating her dramatically curvaceous hips.
Her embroidered shoes were tiptoed high, and though her makeup was meticulously applied into a flattering smile, it could not conceal her excessively youthful face.
“Alright.” Chen Beiwu nodded slightly.
Though one spirit stone was no small sum, it paled in comparison to the value of information within the market.
With an intermediary’s guidance, he could collect sufficient intelligence in the shortest time and gain clarity on the price disparity between the two realms.
“Senior, are you looking to purchase spiritual materials, pills, rent a shop or cave dwelling, or perhaps acquire a servant or Dao companion?” Wanwan asked with enthusiasm.
“Take me around the market first.” Chen Beiwu answered succinctly.
Hearing this, Wanwan immediately understood and led the way forward.
Too much talk led to mistakes. Cultivators who were willing to spend spirit stones on broker services were usually outsiders visiting Biyuan Market for the first time. She had long been accustomed to such aloofness.
Ignoring the throngs of stall vendors at the street corners, Wanwan lowered her voice to explain, “Most cultivators who set up stalls in the market are rogue cultivators. The goods they sell vary widely in quality, making it hard to guarantee their authenticity. Many cultivators have been swindled with no way to find the seller afterward.”
After finishing her explanation, she turned and stepped into a shop with an antique aesthetic—Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion.
The interior of the store wasn’t spacious. On both sides, bookshelves lined with cultivation manuals emitted a faint scent of ink.
“Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion is the most comprehensive library in Biyuan Market, with the greatest variety of cultivation methods and texts…” Wanwan began introducing with great enthusiasm.
[Alchemy Manual]: A mid-grade Qi Refining method suitable for body refinement. It refines the essence of metal and iron into the flesh and bones, forging a body impervious to blades and spears, up to the ninth level of Qi Refining.
Price: 300 low-grade spirit stones
[Water Transformation Manual]: A mid-grade Qi Refining method that visualizes the force of a waterfall to accelerate cultivation speed. It cultivates a body with enduring, unceasing water-element mana and allows the condensation of water into weapons.
Price: 400 low-grade spirit stones
[Earth Peak Manual]: A high-grade Qi Refining method that absorbs the breath of the earth veins to condense pure and vast Earth Peak mana. While fighting atop a mountain, it quickly replenishes mana consumption and is resilient against sieges.
Price: 500 low-grade spirit stones
…
Seeing these dazzlingly diverse Qi Refining methods, Chen Beiwu was slightly surprised. He casually picked one up and began flipping through it.
To prevent theft, the books on the shelves only recorded partial content. The true transmission of these methods was stored in inheritance jade slips inaccessible to customers.
“This…” The more Chen Beiwu read, the more astonished he became.
Aside from some Five Elements Qi Refining methods that barely retained completeness, the rest had noticeable deficiencies and errors—yet they still commanded high prices.
In the Immortal Alliance, such subpar Qi Refining methods could only be classified as the lowest tier—Mortal-Grade Cultivation Methods. Not to mention 300 spirit stones, they wouldn’t even fetch thirty. Some weren’t even qualified for free access on the official website.
Seeing this, Wanwan felt a twinge of joy, though she kept her expression composed.
One spirit stone for three days wasn’t very profitable.
The real earnings for a broker came from commissions on successful customer transactions, and Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion offered the most generous commission in the market.
Of course, she wouldn’t bring just any outsider cultivator here.
Only customers like Chen Beiwu, whose bearing, cultivation, and attire all suggested he might be a second-generation cultivator, matched the store’s main clientele.
As time ticked by, Chen Beiwu flipped through dozens of cultivation methods and arts.
However, to Wanwan’s disappointment, despite browsing so many texts, Chen Beiwu hadn’t taken a liking to even one.
“Is there anything that dissatisfies Senior?” she asked cautiously.
“These are all rather ordinary.” Chen Beiwu shook his head and placed the [Minor Palm Lightning] back onto the shelf.
Understanding the implication, Wanwan showed a troubled expression. “Senior, Foundation Establishment methods are quite rare. They can easily be sold for several thousand spirit stones and usually only appear at the once-every-five-years auction.”
At her words, Chen Beiwu’s heart stirred.
In the Southern Wastes’ cultivation world, techniques were guarded like precious heirlooms. Even a complete Foundation Establishment method could fetch thousands of spirit stones.
Yet in the information-rich Immortal Alliance, such a technique would barely qualify as a Mixed-Grade Cultivation Method, not even worth a single coin.
If Chen Beiwu so wished, he could download dozens of non-duplicate Mixed-Grade Cultivation Methods from the Immortal Alliance in one night.
The only issue was that Foundation Establishment methods were far too valuable in the Southern Wastes and could benefit future generations. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators would covet them. Even if he auctioned one, he couldn’t guarantee it would be safely handled.
Having witnessed the scene at the market entrance, Chen Beiwu dared not believe in the market’s proclaimed integrity.
Unless he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator himself, Biyuan Market would most likely resort to underhanded means for such profits.
As for credibility, as long as the market acted swiftly and ruthlessly, the dead could never speak—let alone impact business.
“Let’s look around elsewhere,” Chen Beiwu said.
Just because he couldn’t sell Mixed-Grade Cultivation Methods didn’t mean Mortal-Grade ones were off-limits. A single Qi Refining method wouldn’t tempt Biyuan Market.
But before selling any methods, he needed to gather more intelligence.
Wanwan didn’t speak further and obediently led the way out.
Any cultivator who could casually dismiss Qi Refining methods likely had an extraordinary background—someone she dared not provoke.
Leaving Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion, Wanwan bypassed stall vendors and led Chen Beiwu through a winding path. They first entered Hundred Pills Pavilion, which sold pills and spiritual materials, followed by Thousand Artifacts Studio for magical artifacts, then Flying Talismans Pavilion for talismans, and finally Formations Companion Studio for formation disks.
But to Wanwan’s despair, after visiting every store in the market, Chen Beiwu hadn’t purchased a single item.
This meant that all her effort and exhaustion today would earn her no commission at all.
“Not bad. This is your payment.” Chen Beiwu casually tossed her a spirit stone.
Through today’s exploration, he had already discovered the fastest and safest method of earning spirit stones.