That Spirit Dog… why did it look so familiar?

Before Han Yu could take a closer look, a young girl in crimson robes carrying a medicine basket strode over. She scooped up the white Spirit Dog by the scruff of its neck and stuffed it into her basket.

“This little thing is naughty. Please forgive it, Fellow Daoist.”

With a slight bow of apology, she adjusted her basket and walked toward a nearby stall.

It was only then that Han Yu recognized her. She was the Laborer Disciple named Zhong Yue who sold Moon Gazing Herbs. The white Spirit Dog belonged to her.

Zhong Yue, of course, did not recognize Han Yu. Several months had passed, and during their last encounter, his face had been obscured by a bamboo hat.

Sun Kang led Liu Lan and Han Yu on a stroll through the Bamboo Shed Area. Han Yu noted that prices hadn’t fluctuated much. Four to five catties of Spirit Rice still exchanged for one Spirit Stone. In turn, one Spirit Stone could purchase a single Qi Condensation Pill, three Wind Riding Talismans, or one Wind Blade Talisman.

Last time, Han Yu had seen Spirit Blood Vines for sale, but today they were nowhere to be found.

“Are there no spell manuals for sale here? Or perhaps some general records on cultivation knowledge?” Han Yu asked Sun Kang.

Sun Kang lowered his voice. “Spells are certainly sold, but two problems exist: first, they aren’t cheap; second, they aren’t openly traded in the Bamboo Shed Area.”

“After all, the Green Grain Market falls under the jurisdiction of Wanchun Valley. Within the sect, you are granted two techniques upon promoting to Outer Disciple. Any additional techniques cost a minimum of ten Minor Merits.”

“If Laborer Disciples and Rogue Cultivators in the bamboo sheds openly circulated techniques, wouldn’t the sect’s Major and Minor Merit rewards lose their meaning? Would the market supersede the sect?”

Han Yu nodded, understanding the logic.

“As for the cultivation knowledge you mentioned,” Sun Kang continued, “do you mean guides for identifying Spirit Herbs, materials, Magical Artifacts, Talismans, and formations?”

Han Yu nodded again.

“Identifying Spirit Herbs is common knowledge for Laborer Disciples in the Medicine Garden and Alchemy Hall, but even they only know a fraction. To truly understand, one must specialize in planting Spirit Herbs or refining pills.”

Han Yu realized the reality of the situation. If he wanted to know the specific effects of Spirit Fruits or the power of secret arts, he would have to pay Spirit Rice to learn the trade properly. He couldn’t just buy a book of anecdotes and expect to become an expert.

“Those things are still too far out of reach for us, and there’s nothing we really need in the Bamboo Shed Area,” Sun Kang said. “Why don’t we head to the Reed Mat Area? We can buy some mundane goods so we don’t return empty-handed.”

Han Yu pondered for a moment. “Senior Brother Sun, wait a moment. I need to buy something first.”

He took his bag of Spirit Rice and exchanged four catties and six taels for a single Spirit Stone.

Then, finding a moment of privacy, Han Yu silently replicated the Spirit Stone. Using the copy, he purchased a Qi Condensation Pill and returned to the group.

“You bought a Qi Condensation Pill?” Sun Kang asked, surprised.

“Yes. I want to test how much a pill aids cultivation,” Han Yu replied.

Sun Kang, ever the knowledgeable senior, offered a warning. “Cultivating with pills is faster, true, but you cannot rely on them entirely. Take the Qi Condensation Pill, for instance. Everyone has a limit to how many they can consume. Once you hit that resistance threshold, the pills become useless.”

“Furthermore, a Qi Condensation Pill releases a massive amount of spiritual energy in a single day. If your Spirit Root is poor, you can’t absorb it all fast enough, wasting half the medicinal efficacy.”

“Junior Brother Han, for people with Four Spirit Roots like us… using Qi Condensation Pills is a bit extravagant.”

Han Yu was taken aback. He had intended to test the pill’s efficacy on himself, but Sun Kang’s explanation curbed his curiosity.

If that was the case, the Mystic Heart Fruit was truly extraordinary. It was comparable to three Qi Condensation Pills in raw energy, yet it also possessed the unique effect of clearing the mind and calming the spirit. No wonder no one sold them in the Bamboo Shed Area.

It also explained why, even though he could now replicate two drops of essence blood daily, the system still only allowed him to replicate one Mystic Heart Fruit per day. The cost was high because the value was immense.

Having gauged the value of the Mystic Heart Fruit through the price of the Qi Condensation Pill, Han Yu felt satisfied.

He promptly exchanged the Qi Condensation Pill for a Wind Blade Talisman instead. This talisman contained the Wind Blade Technique, sealed and ready to be triggered by a surge of Spirit Breath.

Sun Kang didn’t object this time. The Spirit Field Department had been dangerous lately; it was good for Han Yu to have a self-defense measure.

Han Yu had four taels of Spirit Rice remaining. In the Bamboo Shed Area, that amount was negligible.

However, in the Reed Mat Area, four taels were a fortune. When he exchanged them for food, drink, and daily necessities from the mortals who had no hope of cultivation, the vendors looked overwhelmed with gratitude. Usually, mortals begged to buy Spirit Rice, finding it priced beyond their reach. It was rare for an Immortal Master to actively spend Spirit Rice on their goods.

The trio each bought two items, yet the four taels still weren’t exhausted.

They stopped at a stall selling flower cakes. A middle-aged man with a long, donkey-like face and a head wrapped in a cloth scarf shouted enthusiastically.

“Three Immortal Masters, care to taste my flower cakes? Real ingredients, made from the finest fresh flowers and non-glutinous rice!”

Han Yu bought three portions to use up the last of the Spirit Rice, handing one to Sun Kang and one to Liu Lan.

He couldn’t help but take a second look at the vendor.

The donkey-faced man smiled cheerfully, his voice clear and not at all raspy. Yet, Han Yu couldn’t shake the feeling that he resembled Old Daoist Li. Was it just the shared misfortune of having a long, equine face?

“Junior Brother Han, we let you spend money on us this trip,” Sun Kang said somewhat apologetically.

Liu Lan also expressed her thanks, adding that he should come to her if he ever had questions about cultivation.

Han Yu smiled. “When I first entered the sect, it was Senior Brother Sun and Senior Sister Liu who guided me. This small amount of Spirit Rice isn’t much use to me anyway, so please don’t take it to heart.”

“Besides, we came specifically to stroll around. It would be dull to come and go empty-handed.”

Hearing this, Sun Kang and Liu Lan felt their junior brother was sensible and kind. He was a good person to keep close.

Just then, a shout erupted from the crowd.

“Senior Brother Zhao! Go to the tavern, quick!”

“The tavern has posted the predicted rankings for the top ten Inner and Outer Disciples!”

As “Senior Brother Zhao” rushed off, the excitement rippled through the Bamboo Shed Area. Numerous Laborer Disciples and Rogue Cultivators, unable to contain their curiosity, surged toward the tavern in the center of the market.

Sun Kang and Liu Lan’s eyes lit up. They grabbed Han Yu and pulled him toward the tavern.

Before they even got close, the street was packed shoulder-to-shoulder.

Laborer Disciples chattered excitedly, treating the ranking release like a lantern festival or a temple fair.

Seeing the crush of bodies, Han Yu balked. “How about we skip it today? We’ll hear the names sooner or later. There are too many people.”

Liu Lan shook her head. “Since we’re here, it would be a pity not to see it with our own eyes. Junior Brother Han, wait outside for a bit. We’ll take a look and come right back!”

“Huh?”

Han Yu stood stunned. By the time he reacted, Liu Lan and Sun Kang had already dived into the sea of people.

What is so interesting about that?

Wouldn’t it be better to focus on cultivation so you can make the top ten yourself one day? Besides, what did the top ten matter? They were all just disciples beneath the Foundation Establishment realm.

Shaking his head, Han Yu scanned his surroundings. He noticed a nearby shop that traded in Spirit Herbs and pills.

He walked over.

He hadn’t had the chance earlier, but now that he was alone, it was the perfect time to ask about the market price for his Mystic Heart Fruit and Spirit Blood Vine.