When he arrived at the market square, Wang Hao saw it busier than ever. In normal times, only wandering cultivators set up stalls here, and rarely were there truly valuable items. He had come hoping to broaden his horizons—and perhaps, like a true webnovel protagonist such as the legendary Old Demon Han, stumble upon a hidden treasure by chance.
As he asked around, he learned the reason for the excitement: next year, the Azure Origin Sect would sell Foundation Establishment Pills. The Great Families—and some well–heeled wandering cultivators—were already liquidating their possessions to amass spirit stones.
This had turned the market into a grand bargain festival.
If only one year remained before the sale, Qingniu Market would be even more frenzied!
This time, the sect had announced it would offer seven Foundation Establishment Pills in Qingniu City—five reserved for the Five Great Families, and two to be auctioned. If any family failed to pay, all seven pills would go to auction!
As a result, the items on sale far exceeded the usual quality. First-order spirit herbs and their seeds—once sold only by wanderers—were now being offloaded by the Great Families!
Wang Hao couldn't contain his delight.
"This is transmigrator-protagonist luck… I think of something, and it appears!"
He spotted Spirit Talisman Herb—used to make talisman paper.Price: 5 spirit stones for a pouch of about twenty seeds.
He bought without hesitation—he'd been wanting to practice talisman craft anyway.
Next, he found Spirit Wheat Seeds. After months of eating only spirit rice, he was ready for a change.
A little further on, he came across Crimson Blood Ginseng, a key ingredient for Foundation Establishment Pills—the most common one. For pill-making, he needed a second-order, high-grade root. But even first-order ginseng had uses: healing elixirs or medicinal wines.
Price: 10 spirit stones for just three seeds.
Wang Hao tried every trick, but vendors only let him look, not touch—so he couldn't "steal the unlock" with his system. Still, he tapped on several less valuable seeds, enough to unlock nearly all first-order seeds on his farm—which pleased him greatly.
Then he spotted a seedling of a spirit–fruit tree at one stall—and his eyes lit up. Spirit fruits could be eaten directly and, depending on the variety, rival—or even surpass—pills in effect.
The stall owner was a cultivator of about forty years. Seeing Wang Hao's Taoist robe with insignia, he murmured:
"Isn't that the Wang Family's robe? Old Wang used to wear that…"
The Wang clan selling spirit–fruit trees? They truly were sacrificing everything! It was likely to guarantee the pill for Wang Yanzhao.
Wang Hao felt conflicted:On one hand, it was good—Wang Yanzhao was his father, and his strength could help him later.But on the other, if his father reached Foundation Establishment, he might leave Qingniu—and the rest of the Wang clan ignored him entirely.
"Tch… overthinking won't help. If I become strong enough, I won't need anyone."
He stepped two paces forward.
The vendor greeted him warmly:
"Taoist, feel free to choose—only top–quality goods here!"
Wang Hao pointed at the seedling:
"Greetings, brother Taoist. To be honest, I'm interested in that sapling. If I'm not mistaken, it's your family's specialty—the Golden Silk Spirit Damask Tree, right?"
It was a first-order, high-grade spirit fruit—one of the best in its category and rare on the market!
Wang Hao had never tasted it. Old Wang himself said a single fruit took years to mature. Each fruit fetched up to 30 spirit stones—equivalent to a whole vial of Spirit-Condensing Pills!
And it wasn't just the price—but the potency: smooth, toxin-free, even superior to the Yellow Dragon Pill used by peak Qi Refiners.
He didn't need it immediately, but he could plant it in advance. By the time he reached advanced stages, he wouldn't have to spend on pills.
The seedling looked two or three years old. Even on his fast–cycle farm, it would take over a year to bear fruit.
The cultivator smiled:
"Taoist has sharp eyes! It is indeed the Golden Silk Spirit Damask. And since you know its effects, I won't waste time—100 spirit stones, take it or leave it."
Wang Hao returned the smile:
"Brother, your trade doesn't seem the most honest. This sapling is withered, its leaves dry, and it's quite small… It looks rejected. I bet the cultivators in your clan didn't want to invest in it!"
The vendor sighed:
"Ah… Taoist's sharp. But the price is firm. If it weren't for my need to buy that Foundation pill for my second uncle, we wouldn't even be selling. But I guarantee on my reputation: the sapling is healthy and will thrive!"
Second uncle…?
Old Wang was also the second generation in his branch. Though this cultivator looked older, he might be from a junior line.
"Ah, whatever… I'll call it a 'sponsorship' for Old Wang."
"Deal. Here are the stones." Wang Hao said, handing over 100 spirit stones and taking the seedling in his own hands.
Now with only a few spirit stones left, his interest in exploring vanished. He turned and headed straight to the Wang Family's pill shop.
"No letting good water flow into the neighbor's yard. If I buy pills, it'll be from Old Wang's store."
Inside the family shop, he was immediately greeted by a smiling clerk—Wang Wenxin, one generation below Wang Yanzhao. If Wang Hao ever rejoined the clan, his name would have a "Wen" too.
"Taoist, looking for pills? Talismans? Selling something? We carry all First-Order products and buy herbs in bulk!"
Wang Hao, face veiled, didn't care if anyone recognized him:
"Two bottles of Spirit-Condensing Pills and one of Yellow-Sprout Pills."
Both served to advance cultivation. The difference lay in their potency:
Spirit-Condensing Pills for early and intermediate cultivators.
Yellow-Sprout Pills stronger, but only effective at intermediate and above.
Upon hearing his order for three bottles, Wang Wenxin's grin widened:
"One hundred spirit stones total. But since Taoist is generous, I'll do ninety–five! And if you return, I guarantee fair prices!"
Wang Hao handed over the stones, received the pills—and a small iron token.
"Taoist, this is our shop's VIP token. With it, you'll enjoy special discounts on future purchases."
Wang Hao laughed inwardly:
If they knew who I really am, they'd hand me the entire stock at a lifetime discount!
Leaving the shop, he didn't think twice about the Crimson Gold Sword. He was nearly out of stones. If not for the farm, he wouldn't even have spirit rice to eat!