Jiang Chen found a random spot and began setting up his stall.

However, what he was selling wasn’t [Spirit Rice], but [Spirit Wine].

This caused many of the [Harvest Alliance] members observing from the shadows to pay it no mind.

“Fellow Daoist, how much for this [Spirit Wine]?”

“Ten [Low-grade Spirit Stones] per jin!”

“Damn, is this made from [Tier-2 Spirit Rice] or Tier-3?”

“Take a look… it’s definitely different from what’s on the market!”

Jiang Chen sized up the male disciple opposite him.

This person wore white clothes with a white crane pattern embroidered on the chest. His head was shaved, and he had a centipede-like scar on his face. He also carried a rather heavy-looking linked-ring broadsword on his back. By the looks of it, he should be a multi-spiritual root disciple, and skilled in combat.

The other party reached out and took a small cup of [Spirit Wine], first giving it a sniff. Only after confirming the smell was fine did he bring the cup to his lips and take a small sip.

The cool wine slid into his mouth, a strong aroma of rice and alcohol spreading out.

In an instant, the suspicious expression on the male disciple’s face vanished. It was replaced by bright eyes.

He even smacked his lips, savoring the flavor.

“Good wine!” The male disciple let out a shout, instantly drawing sidelong glances from those around.

“Isn’t that [Pei Mo], the dual-spiritual root [Mad Blade]?”

“He’s come to the market looking for wine again!”

“Stay far away. This guy goes on a drunken rampage when he’s drunk, cutting down anyone he sees!”

“I heard it’s because of conflicting spiritual roots that his personality is so strange?”

“Fire Restricts Metal. This guy’s future is set!”

Many people recognized him and immediately moved as far away as possible, as if they had seen a plague god.

Jiang Chen noted the reactions of the people around him, then asked the other party, “Buying or not?”

“I’ll take it all!”

Jiang Chen was taken aback. “Ten jin would be one hundred [Low-grade Spirit Stones]. Are you sure?”

Pei Mo stared straight at him, countering, “Do I look like I’m joking?”

Jiang Chen said no more and handed over all ten jin of [Spirit Wine].

Pei Mo also very readily took out one hundred [Low-grade Spirit Stones].

Once the transaction was complete, just as Jiang Chen was about to leave, Pei Mo suddenly stopped him, chuckling, “Buddy, here’s my communication talisman. If you have more good wine of this quality in the future, give me a shout!”

“Good wine, such good wine!” Pei Mo muttered while drinking, swaying as he walked away.

“I’ve traded most of the stuff. Time to do some shopping.” Jiang Chen pondered.

Daily necessities, spirit tool equipment—all needed an upgrade. Firstly, they really weren’t enough. Secondly, new year, new atmosphere.

Next, he walked further down the trading street.

Although the vast majority of resources were monopolized by the five major forces, there were still quite a few independent cultivators selling things, though the quality wasn’t high.

Soon, Jiang Chen saw a familiar face.

A familiar spirit beast camel. Familiar bells.

Naturally, it was the traveling vendor [Jin Fugui]!

“Selling spirit beasts! All juvenile spirit beasts! Prices aren’t high!” Jin Fugui continued to hawk his wares.

“You’re really here.” Jiang Chen approached him.

“Well now—if it isn’t [Fellow Daoist Jiang].” Jin Fugui’s eyes lit up. He said somewhat awkwardly, “Times change. Want to pick out a spirit beast?”

Jiang Chen heard this and let his gaze wander over these oddly-shaped juvenile spirit beasts. But look as he might, he couldn’t find one that satisfied him.

Seeing this, Jin Fugui immediately started recommending, “You’re a Wood spiritual root disciple who needs to stay long-term at your [Spirit Farm]. In that case, buy a Spirit Ox.”

First, Spirit Oxen have relatively long lifespans. Second, these things can also be used for plowing fields. Therefore, they are the first choice for many Wood spiritual root disciples.

“I don’t want to ride on Patriarch Chen’s coattails.” Jiang Chen shook his head.

“Huh? What coattails?” Jin Fugui looked utterly confused upon hearing this.

“Nothing. I’ll look some more.” Jiang Chen couldn’t be bothered to explain.

Just then, a bark sounded.

This instantly caught Jiang Chen’s attention; he quickly looked over.

In a corner was a juvenile little yellow dog. Yellow fur with white markings on its face. Its eyes were lively. Its little tail held high. It was wary of anyone who approached.

This little yellow dog couldn’t help but plunge Jiang Chen into memories.

In his previous life, he was born in a rural village. His family had kept many cats and dogs. Among them was a dog named “Big Yellow,” very clever. Every time he came home from Sect, he would always see it waiting at the village entrance. Even before people got close, its tail would start wagging furiously.

It wasn’t exactly identical to the one he saw now, but this feeling was familiar.

“I’ll buy it.” Jiang Chen did not refuse.

Jin Fugui said nonchalantly, “A little yellow dog isn’t worth much.”

“In your eyes, it might be rustic and dirty and worthless. But in my eyes, it’s different.” As Jiang Chen spoke, he took out five [Low-grade Spirit Stones] from his small storage pouch and handed them over without further discussion.

Jin Fugui didn’t accept them. Instead, he asked with an awkward smile, “Can I exchange it for [Spirit Rice]?”

Jiang Chen asked, “Tier-1 or Tier-2?”

Jin Fugui said with a helpless expression, “Rice is too expensive now. Forget [Tier-2 Spirit Rice]; even [Tier-1 Spirit Rice] is becoming unaffordable.”

“Alright.” Jiang Chen exchanged the five [Low-grade Spirit Stones] for ten jin of [Tier-2 Spirit Rice] and handed it over.

He had thought the other party was just being polite, but didn’t expect him to give so much. Just for a little yellow dog—it simply wasn’t worth ten jin of [Tier-2 Spirit Rice]. Clearly, this meant Jin Fugui truly considered him a friend.

He felt immensely moved inside.

After giving the rice, Jiang Chen slowly approached the little yellow dog.

Strangely enough, it was very wary when others approached, even barking woof woof, putting on an air of keeping strangers away.

But when it came to Jiang Chen’s turn, it not only didn’t get angry but instead wagged its tail.

“This must be fate.” Jiang Chen’s gaze softened.

He reached out and cradled the little yellow dog in his palm.

Lick, lick, lick!

The little thing immediately extended its soft black-and-pink tongue and began licking his hand readily.

Jin Fugui asked curiously, “Thought of a name yet?”

“Not yet. Let’s leave it to the readers!” Jiang Chen shook his head.

“Saying things I don’t understand again.” Jin Fugui rolled his eyes.

“It’s nothing. I still need to buy daily necessities. I’m off.” Jiang Chen turned to leave.

“Wait!” Jin Fugui hurriedly pulled out a metal ring. “This is a Spirit Beast Ring. It can hold one spirit beast whose body size doesn’t exceed five meters and length doesn’t exceed ten meters.”

This thing wasn’t cheap. Originally, for an ordinary spirit beast, he wouldn’t have been willing to take it out himself. Since Jiang Chen was so sincere, he couldn’t be stingy either.

“It’s so small; feels like using it or not makes no difference.” Jiang Chen took it and examined it closely.

“You take it first. What if you get another spirit beast in the future?” Jin Fugui chuckled.

Jiang Chen tried channeling spiritual power into the Spirit Beast Ring.

[Owner] immediately appeared branded on it.

Immediately after, the little yellow dog in his other hand whooshed inside.

At the same time, an image appeared in Jiang Chen’s mind. The content was similar to a three-dimensional space like that of a small storage pouch.

A little yellow dog who had lost its owner was looking around blankly.

Jiang Chen focused his mind, and in the next second, it reappeared in his palm.

“Woof woof!” Seeing its owner again, the little thing excitedly barked twice.

“Don’t worry, I won’t abandon you!” Jiang Chen gently stroked it.

Then he put it back into the Spirit Beast Ring.

After bidding farewell to Jin Fugui, he continued strolling around.

Before long, he purchased some daily necessities.

Soon arriving at an [Artifact Hall] trading point, only to find prices too high. Any ordinary spirit tool actually cost over ten [Low-grade Spirit Stones].

Everyone wanted to cash in on this opportunity, leading to price hikes for everyday spirit tools as well.

But there was no choice. Jiang Chen currently had no other purchasing channels. He could only be that sucker.

In the end, he spent forty [Low-grade Spirit Stones], buying four daily-life spirit tools: a sickle, a hoe, a shovel, and a kitchen knife.

Since daily necessities and such were already bought, and seeing there was still time, Jiang Chen planned to look for some techniques/spells.

But after walking around several times, he couldn’t find even one.

Upon asking, he learned that techniques/spells were either exchanged with contribution points, or sought privately from others. If you really wanted to buy them, you had to go to independent cultivator markets outside.

But most techniques there were uneven in quality, some even incomplete. Truly complete techniques were almost monopolized by immortal sects, cultivation families, etc.

“I won’t go outside until I have [Foundation Establishment] strength.” Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.

Inside the immortal sect, there was no need to worry about danger, but going outside was different. You had to be vigilant everywhere!