“May I ask the name of your cultivation method, senior?”

“It’s the Blackwater Method.”

“I see, you might not get a good price for it, senior, as the first seven levels are quite common in the market.”

“My method can be cultivated up to the ninth level of Qi Refining, and it also comes with three additional spells. It can be practiced all the way up to Foundation Establishment.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Er immediately patted his chest, promising to sell it at a good price.

“However, if you trust me, senior, you can sell this method to Old He. He specializes in selling cultivation methods at his stall. He has always wanted to collect the complete Blackwater Method, and he knows the value of a complete nine-level method with three accompanying spells. Even if you sell it to a stall owner, it will probably end up being resold to him. It’s better to skip the middleman.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Mobai’s eyes lit up.

Indeed, it made sense to sell things to these local snakes. He also knew the old man who sold the Blackwater Method, the same person who sold the seven-level Blackwater Method in the market.

If Chen Mobai were to set up a stall selling the nine-level Blackwater Method, it would be a blatant attempt to steal his business, which would certainly offend him greatly. It would be better to sell it directly to him, not only could he exchange it for some spirit stones, but also earn a favor.

Qi Er led Chen Mobai to a stall, where they first chatted with an old man with a goatee and a thin face. Soon, the three of them got down to business.

“Good, I’ve checked the first seven levels, it’s the original.”

The old man, named He Qun, was at the seventh level of Qi Refining. He took the newly copied eight-level cultivation method book from Chen Mobai and carefully compared it. After confirming that there was no problem with the method, he nodded.

“I’m selling this complete Blackwater Method to Senior He, how much do you think it’s worth?”

“How much do you want to sell it for?”

“One price, twenty spirit stones, how about it?”

Chen Mobai had spent quite a bit of time in front of He Qun’s stall in the past few days, and he knew the price he sold the Blackwater Method for. The price he offered was right at the limit, causing the latter’s eyelids to twitch, and he habitually began to bargain.

“Fellow Daoist, among the loose cultivators, those who need the ninth level of Qi Refining are few. Although your Blackwater Method is complete, it’s difficult to practice and not easy to sell. Moreover, I already have the first seven levels and two spells of this method. You want to sell it to me for 20 spirit stones, isn’t that a bit excessive?”

Chen Mobai had no experience in bargaining, and he was stunned by He Qun’s words, not knowing how to respond.

“Senior He is joking. This Blackwater Method may not be easy to sell for others, but isn’t it just right for you?”

At this point, Qi Er spoke up, taking over the conversation.

“Oh, what do you mean by that?”

He Qun narrowed his eyes, looking at Qi Er with a veiled threat. The latter was slightly taken aback, but thinking of his slim hopes of cultivation, he decided to take a gamble. If he didn’t, he feared he would be stuck at the lower levels of Qi Refining for the rest of his life, so he plucked up the courage to speak.

“Senior He seems to be practicing the Blackwater Method, right? This method should be something you want to collect in its entirety, no matter what. After all, for us loose cultivators, only by reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining can we join one of the seven major sects and have a chance to get a Foundation Establishment Pill.”

Upon hearing this, He Qun’s eyes widened, and he gave Qi Er a cold stare.

“Senior, isn’t it true that the later levels of this method are more valuable? And after mastering the Ice Spell, this method can truly show its greatest effect, right?”

After Qi Er spoke, Chen Mobai also came to his senses. He stepped forward, blocking He Qun’s cold gaze. The latter felt his cultivation level and reluctantly nodded.

“Fine, 20 spirit stones, but you have to swear that after you sell this Blackwater Method to me, you won’t sell it to anyone else.”

Chen Mobai thought for a moment. Although he felt that selling this method for 20 spirit stones was a bit of a loss, he had already decided to focus on the talisman business. It made sense to get the startup capital as soon as possible, so he immediately nodded.

“Here.”

He Qun counted out twenty spirit stones from his grey cloth bag and reluctantly handed them to Chen Mobai, who immediately handed over the ninth level of the Blackwater Method and the Ice Spell.

After both parties checked the goods, they looked at each other. Then Chen Mobai smiled and waved his hand, leaving the stall with Qi Er.

Next, he sold three bottles of Gathering Spirit Pills with the Huitian Valley mark to a cultivator who specialized in selling pills at his stall. However, because they were second-hand, even though the medicinal properties hadn’t lost much, they could only be sold for 2 spirit stones.

Even so, Chen Mobai was very satisfied.

The remaining bottle of Returning Spirit Pill had no mark on the bottle. Although the pill-selling cultivator also identified that there was no major problem, he refused to buy it no matter what.

Finally, the crossbow was sold for 450 taels of gold with Qi Er’s introduction, and he also helped to exchange it for a gold ticket at the Five Elements Sect’s silver shop.

While selling the pills, Chen Mobai had a thought about making a fortune.

Could he collect the empty bottles of Huitian Valley’s pills and substitute them with his own?However, this was just a thought. He still wanted to conduct business in an upright and honest manner. The education he received since childhood on Earth Yuan Star made Chen Mobai understand that a good reputation is the key to continuous wealth.

“You’ve worked hard today. I’ll give you this talisman as a token of appreciation.”

Chen Mobai, with 22 spirit stones and a stack of gold tickets in his pocket, was in a good mood. He took out a Green Arrow Talisman and gave it to Qi Er.

“Thank you, senior. If you have such tasks in the future, feel free to find me. There’s no one in Nanxi Market that we’re not familiar with.”

Although Qi Er didn’t know the grade of the talisman, he knew that even the lowest-grade talisman on the market would cost hundreds of gold. Without any hesitation, he immediately accepted the Green Arrow Talisman from Chen Mobai, his face beaming with joy.

“By the way, you offended He Qun today. Will he cause trouble for you?”

Before leaving, Chen Mobai remembered this matter. He didn’t want Qi Er to get into trouble because of it.

“Don’t worry, senior. Although our cultivation levels are low, we have backers. Our guild leader is a guest of the Liu family, a well-respected figure in Nanxi Market. Old man He is always patient, he won’t take action against me over such a matter.”

Qi Er patted his chest, boasting about his backing.

“The Liu family? The one that cultivates the Blue Blood Carp?”

Chen Mobai thought of the account book recorded by Liu Yongpei, which specifically mentioned this family. The Blue Blood Carp fry in Biyun Lake were all purchased from this family.

“Yes, it’s the Liu family, one of the four Foundation Establishment families in Nanxi Market. It’s said that they’ve already connected with the Five Elements Sect. A few years ago, the Liu family even sent two true spiritual root talents to the Five Elements Sect. It seems they’ve completely taken sides.”

Qi Er said mysteriously. Chen Mobai didn’t understand any of this and could only laugh it off.

However, reminded by this, before he left, he went to the largest bookstore in the market and bought the unfinished “Introduction to the Major Sects of the Eastern Wilderness”, along with “Introduction to Local Cultivation in Nanxi”, “Distribution Map of Cultivation Powers in Yun Country”, and so on.