Crow Immortal: I Can Duplicate Infinite Resources

The morning mist had barely retreated when Han Yu, dressed in his signature green robes, began his walk through the freshly harvested fields.

Laborer Disciples approaching from the opposite direction bowed deeply, their voices respectful. “Senior Brother Han.”

Even the Outer Disciples echoed the greeting. “Senior Brother Han.”

Some of these disciples were older than him, and some possessed cultivation bases that surpassed his public persona. Yet, because Han Yu held the title of the undisputed number one Outer Disciple, they treated him with deference usually reserved for Sect Elders.

The Spirit Field Department was alive with noise and activity. The harvest had concluded only yesterday, and the energy was palpable.

Many disciples were already rushing toward the main peak to exchange their earnings for new spells. Others, having already made their purchases, were testing their new techniques on the practice grounds. A significant number, pockets heavy with fresh Green Grain Spirit Rice, were making a beeline for the Green Grain Market to trade.

With a crow perched silently on his shoulder, Han Yu exited the department.

As he passed through the Wanchun Valley Guardian Formation, several more Laborer Disciples stopped to bow. One enthusiastic Outer Disciple even jogged up to him.

“Senior Brother Han! We are heading to the Green Grain Market. Would you care to join us?”

Han Yu offered a polite nod but waved his hand. “Go ahead without me.”

He stepped onto his flying sword and ascended, a streak of green light that quickly vanished into the dense, verdant forest ahead.

A few moments later, on the other side of the treeline, a figure emerged.

Cloaked in black robes with a deep hood obscuring his face, the figure stood atop a floating green Plantain Leaf artifact. He drifted unhurriedly toward the market.

upon reaching the entrance of the Green Grain Market, the hooded figure did not enter. Instead, he found a spot near the gate and stood there, silent and motionless as an old tree stump.

The two disciples guarding the gate glanced at him. Seeing no intent to enter, they lost interest. It wasn’t an uncommon sight; mortals and Rogue Cultivators often loitered at the periphery, hawking wares they couldn’t afford to sell inside.

Nearly half an hour passed.

Finally, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man walked out of the market. He placed a wooden sign on the ground.

Seeking to purchase Spirit Wood Heart.

He cleared his throat and called out to the crowd of mortals and Rogue Cultivators. “Buying Wood Heart! Spirit Wood Heart! The older the vintage, the better!”

A few mortals selling snacks looked over but quickly looked away, not daring to approach a business clearly meant for cultivators.

However, a Rogue Cultivator sidled up to him. “I heard, Fellow Daoist, that your inventory is complete. That you have… everything?”

The middle-aged man let out a dry, stiff laugh. “What does the guest wish to buy? If it is reasonable and proper, we can trade right here inside the Green Grain Market, under the protection of the Sect.”

He leaned in slightly. “But if it is unreasonable or improper… then we must find a secluded place to discuss.”

“Where?” The Rogue Cultivator stiffened, his eyes darting around.

“Heh heh. Certainly not here at the gate,” the middle-aged man grinned. “If the guest does not know the way, I can guide you to that hidden place—”

The Rogue Cultivator took a sharp step back, his face paling. “Forget it.”

The middle-aged man chuckled but said no more.

The Rogue Cultivator hesitated, opening his mouth as if to speak, but fear won out. He turned and hurried away.

As soon as the Rogue Cultivator retreated, the black-robed figure—Han Yu’s puppet, Li Ya—stepped forward.

“What kind of spiritual items do you stock?” The puppet’s voice was low and raspy.

“What does the guest desire?” The middle-aged man’s grin widened, the movement unnatural and stiff. “Anything I have, or anything I have heard of, is open for trade.”

Han Yu realized with a jolt that the merchant was also using a puppet.

“Spirit Pills?” asked Li Ya.

“Yes. Please name them.”

“Formations?”

“I have those too,” the middle-aged puppet smiled. “Though not many. These are not things ordinary cultivators can afford. Why not name the formation you seek? We can agree on a price, and I will deliver it to you in three to five months.”

Li Ya nodded slowly. “I want Jade Spirit Berries. Do you have stock?”

The middle-aged man paused. The delay suggested the controller behind the puppet was surprised.

“Guest, you want Jade Spirit Berries?”

“That spirit herb is extremely delicate. It struggles to grow anywhere outside the Western Region or the Central Heaven Region. Even if one manages to harvest it, the medicinal potency fades rapidly.”

The merchant shook his head. “I cannot bring you fresh berries. However, if you want the seeds… I can procure those on my next trip.”

Western Region? Central Heaven Region?

Han Yu, listening through the puppet’s senses, seized on the terms.

“Are the Western Region, Central Heaven Region, and Southern Region all similar places?”

The middle-aged man laughed. “How could they be similar? The Southern Region is a remote backwater.”

“The Central Heaven Region is the heart of cultivation in this world—a place of prosperity and power. I have been there several times. Even in its remote borderlands, the difference between there and the Southern Region is like the difference between clouds and mud. Truly worlds apart.”

“I have not been to the Western Region, but I hear it is inferior to the Central Heaven, yet still far surpasses the Southern Region.”

The merchant paused, calculating. “If the guest wants Jade Spirit Berry seeds, I can bring them back from my next journey to the Central Heaven Region. But be warned: the price will be upward of three hundred Spirit Stones.”

The puppet Li Ya stood in silence.

Three hundred Spirit Stones. For mere seeds. Han Yu was stunned.

The merchant sensed the hesitation. “Guest, do not think I am gouging you. You must understand, the journey spans thousands of mountains and rivers. It is an arduous trek. My small business earns ‘blood money’—I risk my life for every coin.”

“I possess what others do not. Naturally, the price reflects that.”

“I hope the guest understands.”

After a long silence, Li Ya spoke again. “Do you have Qi Refining Spirit Boosting Pills?”

“Spirit Boosting Pills? One pill saves ten days of effort? One bottle saves half a year?” The middle-aged man didn’t miss a beat. “No wonder you asked for Jade Spirit Berries first. They are the main ingredient for that very pill.”

“I have not heard of anyone selling such pills, even in the Central Heaven Region.”

“Regardless of the sect’s size, a pill that grants such instant progress is a strategic resource. They are hoarded for genius disciples. They do not reach the open market.”

Han Yu understood. The logic was sound.

“So you cannot buy them?” Li Ya asked.

“If my luck is good and I encounter them, I will buy them. Then we can discuss a price,” the merchant replied noncommittally. “If my luck is bad… then there is no trade.”

“Are there similar pills? Something less expensive? Something closer to home?”

The middle-aged man’s painted smile seemed to deepen. “The guest wishes to increase his cultivation rapidly?”

“Correct.”

“If we are talking strictly about pills available in the Southern Region… truthfully, Wanchun Valley already produces the best. The selection at the Green Grain Market is the most complete you will find. The other four major sects cannot compare in alchemy.”

“Forgive my bluntness,” the merchant said, “but the orthodox path has its limits.”

“However… if the guest is willing to learn some techniques that are not quite ‘correct,’ I have other ways to help you rise quickly.”

“What kind of techniques?” Li Ya asked.

The middle-aged man’s voice dropped to a whisper, transmitted directly to the puppet’s auditory receptors.

“Go to the ‘Small Gathering’. We can talk details there.”

Han Yu scoffed internally. Not quite correct. Not suitable for the market.

He was likely peddling demonic arts—Blood Refining or worse. This traveling merchant walked the gray line between good and evil. He was useful, but dangerous. Not to be trusted.

Still, the man had access. If he could truly source high-tier seeds or pills from the Central Heaven Region, he was a necessary risk.

Han Yu made his decision. He needed to set the hook.

He controlled Li Ya to send a voice transmission back.

“How would you price a Thousand-Year Sunkwood Heart? I am interested in a trade, but unfortunately, your current stock does not interest me.”

The middle-aged puppet froze.

A moment later, a voice trembling with delight echoed in Li Ya’s mind.

“Distinguished Guest! You have finally arrived!”