Chapter 73: Cat girl? Fox girl? Snake girl?

After parting ways with Lu Miaoge, Lu Changsheng wandered the streets for two rounds before entering an empty alley.

He took out a human skin mask from his Storage Pouch and put it on, then donned a gray-brown wide robe. He poured the pre-prepared medicinal liquid onto his palm and wiped it on his neck, making his skin less fair.

Instantly, he transformed from a handsome and dashing young man into a dark-skinned, ordinary-looking youth.

Only his build remained tall and slender.

This was a simple disguise technique he had learned from Li Feiyu before. It wasn’t profound, but it was good enough for his purposes.

Afterward, Lu Changsheng took out another Talisman from his Storage Pouch and used it on himself, concealing his entire Spiritual Qi aura.

It was a Medium Grade Qi Concealing Talisman!

Its effect was the same as the Qi Concealing Spell.

However, it was several times more effective than Lu Changsheng’s own beginner-level Qi Concealing Spell.

Unless a Cultivator in the Late Stage of Qi Refining observed his Spiritual Qi cultivation with a Spiritual Eye Spell, they wouldn’t be able to discern his cultivation level at all.

This was also why Lu Changsheng usually didn’t spend too much time and effort cultivating Spells.

One reason was that it was too time and energy-consuming.

Another reason was that, oftentimes, Talismans could replace them.

“Alas, sometimes being handsome is also a烦恼.”

Lu Changsheng sighed and walked out of the alley.

His handsome appearance and outstanding temperament made him easily memorable and impactful to others.

If he were to go sell Talismans like this, and was later recognized as the owner of the Lu Spirit Talisman Shop, it would be difficult to explain.

So, he decided to disguise himself and conceal his aura to appear more ordinary.

Although this disguise method was very common, even a bit crude, and could be seen through by some people as a disguise.

But as long as his true face wasn’t seen and he wasn’t remembered, that was fine.

After walking out of the alley, Lu Changsheng arrived at a street corner.

He saw several young boys squatting there, looking around, holding ‘guide’ signs.

Before he could even approach, one boy immediately stepped forward and enthusiastically said, “Senior, do you need a guide?”

“I grew up in Nine Dragon Market and am very familiar with all the areas. Whatever you want to know or buy, I know it all.”

The boy said enthusiastically.

Although Lu Changsheng was disguised and had his aura hidden, appearing like an ordinary person.

However, these boys had been making a living as guides in Nine Dragon Market for a long time, so they naturally had some discerning eyes.

They could tell at a glance that Lu Changsheng had the idea of finding a guide.

Even if he didn’t have the intention, at most it would just be a wasted question, and they wouldn’t lose anything.

“How do you charge for this?”

Lu Changsheng nodded and asked.

“Senior, I only need one or two Spirit Stones a day.”

The boy immediately said.

One Spirit Stone weighs ten taels.

After the Spiritual Qi inside is consumed, its weight will become lighter.

And during the mining of Spirit Stone mines, some broken Spirit Stone fragments will also appear.

This unit of Spirit Stone calculation is generally rarely used by Cultivators.

It is only relatively common in markets like this.

“Alright, then you can show me around. Do you have change for Spirit Stones?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Changsheng took out a Spirit Stone he had used before, which weighed about four or five taels.

A hint of regret appeared in the boy’s eyes, but he immediately responded enthusiastically, “Yes, yes.”

He took the Spirit Stone, looked at it twice, weighed it slightly, and then took out two broken Spirit Stones from his body and gave them to Lu Changsheng.

Then he said, “Senior, what do you want to buy or know?”

“Take me to the place where people set up stalls for trading.”

Lu Changsheng said.

“Stall trading is on Southwest Street, Senior, please come this way.”

“It will take about half an hour to get to Southwest Street from here. Senior, if there’s anything you want to buy, you can also tell me. I know many shops where the quality of goods is guaranteed.”

The boy said.

The real money they made as guides came from taking Cultivators to shops to spend.

“Are there any shops in this market that sell Heaven And Earth Treasure?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

“Senior, if you want to purchase Heaven And Earth Treasure, you can go to Qingyun Chamber of Commerce and Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion. These two places not only offer affordable prices, but also have a wide selection of goods, and their quality is guaranteed.”

“If Senior wishes to spend less money, I also know many shops that sell Heaven And Earth Treasure, and their quality is also guaranteed. I can take Senior there.”

The boy immediately said.

Although he wanted to earn money by bringing people to shops to spend, he wouldn’t talk nonsense or deceive others into spending.

After all, he was just a Mortal.

If he dared to deceive a Cultivator, once discovered, it would basically be a dead end.

“If I have some Talismans I want to sell, can I also find a shop to sell them to?”

Lu Changsheng asked in a calm tone.

Upon hearing Lu Changsheng mention selling Talismans, the boy immediately realized that the Lu Changsheng in front of him might be a Talisman Master.

But as a guide, he naturally wouldn’t ask too many questions; he just needed to answer.

He immediately said respectfully, “Senior, most Lingfu Shops in Nine Dragon Market will purchase Talismans.”

“Then are there any Talisman shops in this market with a good reputation?”

Lu Changsheng continued.

“Actually, all the shops that can open in the market have a good reputation. But when it comes to Talismans, the best reputation naturally belongs to the Heaven Talisman Pavilion of the Tianfu Shen Family.”

“Their Talismans are not only guaranteed in quality, but they also frequently hold promotional events. However, they don’t really acquire Talismans externally.”

“Next are the shops of these Cultivation Families like Bihu Mountain Yu Family, Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family, Red Leaf Valley Chen Family, and Centipede Ridge Zheng Family, which have guaranteed quality and reputation.”

“If Senior wants to purchase Talisman paper, I recommend the Talisman paper from the Qingzhu Mountain Lu Family and the Red Leaf Valley Chen Family. Their Talisman paper is made from self-produced Materials, which is much better than ordinary Talisman paper.”

The boy spoke voluminously.

Upon hearing ‘Lu Shi Spirit Talisman Shop of Green Bamboo’, Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.

He knew that what the boy said was quite fair, similar to the situation of the shops he had learned about from Zhang Shan yesterday.

“Hmm, Baiyu Tower?”

At this moment, Lu Changsheng saw an ancient and elegant painted pavilion not far away.

The signboard of the pavilion read ‘Baiyu Tower’, which reminded him of when Hong Yi gifted him two concubines, saying that he had paid a considerable price to buy the two girls from Baiyu Tower.

The boy saw Lu Changsheng looking at Baiyu Tower and immediately said, “Senior, this ‘Baiyu Tower’ is a place for matchmaking, introducing wives and concubines, and selling maids.”

“If Senior has thoughts of taking a wife, concubine, or buying a maid, you can come to Baiyu Tower.”

“This Baiyu Tower is also an old establishment. I heard that it has branches not only in Nine Dragon Market, but also in many other markets, and even Immortal Cities.”

The boy said.

“Oh?”

Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

He couldn’t help but wonder if the Baiyu Tower where Hong Yi bought Jiu’er and Shui’er was indeed the same establishment as this Baiyu Tower.

Just different branches?

Then this Baiyu Tower’s business was indeed quite extensive.

Next time Hong Yi sends a letter, he could ask if it’s the same Baiyu Tower.

“Do the wives, concubines, and maids introduced by this Baiyu Tower include Fairies with Spiritual Roots?”

Lu Changsheng asked.

He naturally wouldn’t forget about finding a ‘Fairy’.

After all, everything else was fleeting; only taking a wife, concubine, and having children was the true Dao.

He was quite satisfied with Jiu’er and Shui’er, whom Hong Yi had given him earlier.

If he could buy a well-behaved and sensible concubine with a Spiritual Root just by spending money, then that would naturally be the best.

“That is naturally possible, but they are only a minority. Most are still Mortals or descendants of Cultivators who are exceptionally beautiful and have pleasant temperaments.”

“I heard that in this Baiyu Tower, there are not only Human Race women, but also women of other races and Yao Race. However, I am not very clear about the specific situation and prices. If Senior is interested, you can go in and inquire.”

The boy said.

Not only Human Race, but also other races and Yao Race women.

Lu Changsheng knew that the two girls, Jiu’er and Shui’er, whom Hong Yi sent, belonged to other races.

At this moment, hearing that there were also Yao Race women, Lu Changsheng immediately thought of catgirls, fox women, snake ladies…

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, not asking further, and kept this ‘Baiyu Tower’ in mind.

He planned to come back later to take a look and learn more.

After all, women in such places were probably unfortunate souls.

If he had the ability, he would help and rescue as many as he could.

It would also count as saving a life, which is better than building a seven-story pagoda.

In this way, Lu Changsheng chatted with the boy along the way, learning about various situations and information in the market.

The two also arrived at Lu Changsheng’s destination, Southwest Street, where Loose Cultivators set up stalls for trading.

“Senior, ahead is Southwest Street, where Loose Cultivators trade freely.”

“If you want to set up a stall, you need to go to the fee booth ahead and pay one Spirit Stone as a management fee.”

The boy said to Lu Changsheng.

“Hmm.”

Lu Changsheng nodded, thinking to himself that this Nine Dragon Market really charged for everything.

Even setting up a stall required paying one Spirit Stone as a management fee.

He arrived at the entrance of Southwest Street.

He immediately saw a street lined with lanterns, with neatly arranged stalls on both sides.

The middle was bustling with people, like a bustling secular market, with constant hawking, much livelier than the previous few streets.

“Alright, your task is complete. You don’t need to follow me anymore. I’ll wander around on my own.”

Lu Changsheng looked at the bustling street ahead, waved his hand at the boy, and said.

“Yes, I bid you farewell, and wish Senior great fortune, all wishes come true, heavenly blessings, and prosperous immortal luck.”

Upon hearing this, the boy bowed and recited a string of blessings.

Lu Changsheng felt nothing inside upon hearing these blessings.

He had no intention of tipping and walked into the street.

The young man didn’t seem disappointed.

After all, rich people were only a minority.

It was rare to encounter a few in a year.

Lu Changsheng didn’t rush to sell Talismans, planning to browse first.

He wanted to see if there was anything he needed or was interested in.

At the same time, he wanted to understand the local prices.

“Second-hand Magical Robes for sale cheap, all ninety percent new Magical Robes with no patches!”

“Red-striped Tiger meat, tender and fresh, just butchered last night!”

“Ten-year Black Truffle, three Spirit Stones per catty, ten Spirit Stones for three catties!”

“Brother, do you want Medicinal Pills? Freshly made Immortal Pills, just take one and all your worldly troubles will vanish.”

At each stall, people were shouting and hawking their wares.

Lu Changsheng followed the crowd, looking at one stall after another.

The items sold at these stalls were diverse.

They were much higher quality than the stalls at the Niu Tou Mountain gathering back then.

Most of the items sold were Spiritual Objects used by Cultivators.

It made sense; setting up a stall required paying one Spirit Stone, so if one sold trash, they probably wouldn’t even earn back the stall fee.

Lu Changsheng observed in detail.

Whenever he saw Materials suitable for Cultivating the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique, he would buy them directly.

Because he Cultivated the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique, he could roughly sense the quality of the Spiritual Materials, so he wouldn’t be swindled.

As for finding a hidden gem, it was impossible.

Not to mention the extremely low probability, his Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique required physical touch to sense the quality of Spiritual Materials.

Just by looking, he couldn’t discern anything, and he didn’t have that kind of discerning eye.

He hadn’t even walked halfway down the street when half of Lu Changsheng’s Spirit Stones were spent, all on Spiritual Materials for Cultivating the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique.

This made him sigh, money was not easy to use.

Subsequently, Lu Changsheng restrained himself slightly, focusing mainly on looking.

If he really wanted to buy something, he would wait until he had looked around more, then come back to purchase it.

During this process, Lu Changsheng heard people haggling, chatting, and discussing nearby, and if something was interesting, he would stop and listen.

And indeed, after strolling and listening along the way, Lu Changsheng truly learned a lot and broadened his horizons.

“Fellow Daoist, I’ll exchange this Magic Treasure fragment for your item, deal or no deal?”

“Magic Treasure fragment? Let me see?”

“What kind of Magic Treasure fragment is this? It’s completely scrap. No deal!”

At this moment, Lu Changsheng heard the conversation coming from a nearby stall, his heart skipped a beat, and he turned to look.

He saw a refined middle-aged man standing in front of a stall, taking back a black, uneven iron block the size of an egg from the table.

“Fellow Daoist, you said this is a Magic Treasure fragment. Does this fragment have any special effects?”

A blue-clothed woman stepped forward and politely asked the refined man.

She had clearly heard about the Magic Treasure fragment and wanted to see if she could find a hidden gem.

“No special effects, it’s just hard.”

“I once used a Medium Grade Magical Artifact Flying Sword to chop it, and my Flying Sword ended up with a chip.”

The refined man said, a pained expression on his face.

As soon as he spoke, the other people nearby who were paying attention also became curious.

Something that could chip a Flying Sword Magical Artifact indicated that it was not ordinary scrap.

Even if it wasn’t a Magic Treasure fragment, it was an extremely rare Material.

“Brother, I’m willing to offer twenty Spirit Stones for your fragment, will you sell it?”

Someone spoke up.

“No sale, but if you insist, at least one hundred Spirit Stones!”

The refined man waved his hand directly and said.

“One hundred Spirit Stones is too expensive, Fellow Daoist, I’m willing to offer thirty Spirit Stones.”

“Fellow Daoist, could you use your Flying Sword to chop it in front of me again to show me? If it really chips, I’m willing to offer forty Spirit Stones!”

Someone else spoke up.

However, upon hearing this, the refined man’s face immediately darkened, and he rebuked, “Scram!”

“Fellow Daoist, may I have a look at this Magic Treasure fragment?”

Lu Changsheng, who was nearby, also stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying.

His Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique required Heaven And Earth Treasures to Cultivate.

If this iron block in front of him was truly a Magic Treasure fragment and he could refine it into his Physical Body for Cultivating the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique, then it would be worth it, let alone one hundred Spirit Stones.

Even two hundred or three hundred Spirit Stones, in his opinion, would be worth it.

Even if it wasn’t a Magic Treasure fragment, but some kind of Heaven And Earth Treasure, it would still be good for him.

“One hundred Spirit Stones, not one less!”

The refined man handed the pitted black iron block in his hand to Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng took the iron block; it felt cold to the touch and was slightly heavy, weighing at least twenty to thirty catties.

An iron block of this small size having such weight also indicated that it was quite extraordinary.

Lu Changsheng slowly circulated the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique, his fingers slightly reddening as he sensed the essence of Heaven And Earth within the iron block.

He immediately felt that the essence contained within was extremely abundant.

Far superior to the Materials he had purchased before.

Although he didn’t know if it was a Magic Treasure fragment.

But Lu Changsheng could confirm that this was a good item, and buying it should not lead to a loss.

“Fellow Daoist, I don’t have enough Spirit Stones on me. Can I use these two Talismans to offset part of the cost?”

Lu Changsheng said calmly, pulling out two High-Grade Talismans from his sleeve.

He currently only had one hundred and forty Spirit Stones left.

If he bought this fragment, he wouldn’t have many Spirit Stones left to buy other things.

So he tried bartering, and incidentally, got rid of a few Talismans he had.

During his stroll and observation, he had also seen many instances of bartering.

After all, most Loose Cultivators didn’t carry that many Spirit Stones for transactions.

“Flying Talisman, Golden Light Shield Talisman.”

The refined man looked at the two Talismans, immediately recognized them, his eyes lit up, and he said, “I won’t take advantage of you. These two Spirit Talismans can offset seventy Spirit Stones.”

“You just need to give me thirty more Spirit Stones.”

The refined man said very straightforwardly.

He only guessed that this iron block was a Magic Treasure fragment, but he wasn’t sure himself.

He had sold it several times and had it appraised by others, but no one was willing to pay a high price for it.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have only asked for one hundred Spirit Stones.

Now seeing Lu Changsheng interested, he was naturally very willing.

“Okay, but I’d like to see the chip your Flying Sword made on this iron block, as you mentioned.”

“If it’s true, I’ll trade immediately.”

Lu Changsheng said.

These two Talismans were worth about thirty Spirit Stones each, so the other party was also sincere.

However, although he knew this iron block was a good item, he couldn’t appear as if he was making a huge profit, which could arouse suspicion.

“Alright.”

Upon hearing this, the refined man directly took out a dark blue Flying Sword from his Storage Pouch.

Pointing to a small chip on it, he sighed and said, “See, this chip is what I foolishly cut out back then.”

Lu Changsheng could see a finger-width chip in the middle of the Flying Sword.

He immediately nodded, handed the two Talismans to the man, and took out thirty Spirit Stones, saying, “Alright, in that case, I’ll take this fragment.”

“Good! Fellow Daoist is straightforward!”

The refined man accepted the Talismans and Spirit Stones, a joyful expression on his face, and cupped his hands.

Lu Changsheng also cupped his hands slightly, put away the iron piece, and continued to stroll.

“Tsk tsk tsk, someone actually spent one hundred Spirit Stones to buy this so-called Magic Treasure fragment.”

“This iron piece can chip a Flying Sword, it’s indeed a good Material, but it’s too small.”

“If it was really worth that much, he would have gone to the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion for appraisal and sale long ago. Would he only ask for one hundred Spirit Stones?”

“Even if it’s truly a Magic Treasure fragment, it’s a fragment from a large Magic Treasure; otherwise, it wouldn’t have no Restriction effects at all.”

“Exactly, how easy is it to melt down Magic Treasure fragments? This thing, well, those who can use it don’t need it, and those who need it can’t use it.”

“Indeed, for Qi Refining Cultivators like us, it’s useless!”

“Perhaps he has another wonderful use for it.”

Several people nearby watched this scene and began to discuss.

Lu Changsheng heard the discussions but didn’t pay attention.

After all, one person was right; he indeed had another wonderful use for it, which was to buy it back for Cultivation.

“I wonder if this thing is really a Magic Treasure fragment. If it is, and I can refine it into my Physical Body for Cultivating the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique, then I’ve made a small find.”

“As long as I master the first layer of the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique, my Physical Body will be comparable to a Low Grade Magical Artifact, and my Physical Body and physique will undergo a qualitative improvement!”

Lu Changsheng thought to himself.

After half a year of nurturing, his Physical Body and physique were already much stronger than before.

However, there was still a considerable distance to go before reaching the first layer of the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique, which would refine his Physical Body into a Low Grade Magical Artifact.

There was no other way; Body Refining techniques were inherently time-consuming and costly.

And the Hundred Refinements Treasure Body Technique was far superior to ordinary Body Refining techniques, and he had only been Cultivating for just over half a year.

Having spent over one hundred Spirit Stones on Materials before, and now another one hundred Spirit Stones to purchase this ‘Magic Treasure fragment,’ Lu Changsheng worried about being targeted and immediately left Southwest Street.

Although Nine Dragon Market had the Qingyun Sect overseeing it and was very safe, it was still better to be careful in all matters.