"Third Uncle, where in Vermilion Market can I find affordable spirit seeds?" Chen Jinshu stood obediently beside Chen Huaiyang, seeking his advice.
"First time here?" Chen Huaiyang raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Forgive my ignorance."
"Vermilion Market was jointly established by several Foundation Establishment families," he explained in a detached tone, as if he had recited this many times before. "The Wang Family is renowned for their spiritual plant techniques—they sell high-quality seeds at reasonable prices. As for pills, the Li Family excels…"
Listening to him, Chen Jinshu gained a clearer understanding of the various families' strengths—and a stark realization of the Chen Family's mediocrity.
Unlike the Wangs with their spirit plants or the Lis with their alchemy, the Chen Family had no outstanding specialty. Even the weaker Yang Family had made a name for themselves with their spirit fish.
After asking a few more basic questions, she fell silent, absorbing the information.
An hour later...
Chen Huaiyang's spirit vessel finally descended before a mist-shrouded valley, its entrance veiled by a faint crimson barrier—likely a protective formation.
As the ship touched down, Chen Jinshu looked up and saw streaks of rosy clouds swirling in the sky.
"So that's why it's called 'Vermilion'..."
"Go and make your purchases. Regroup at the market's exit in four hours. If you're late, find your own way back."
With that, Chen Huaiyang dismissed the six veteran spirit farmers accompanying them, all at the third or fourth layer of Qi Refining.
"Understood." Chen Jinshu clasped her hands in acknowledgment, mimicking the others.
Inside the market, she quickly parted ways with them.
Her first stop was the stalls run by casual cultivators, where she discreetly inquired about pill prices before heading to the Wang Family's shop.
A Wang attendant greeted her warmly. She asked about the prices of Spirit Restoration Pills (ten pills for eighteen spirit stones—cheaper than the Chen Family's own prices) and Bigu dan (four stones per bottle).
"Do you buy Bigu dan as well?" she asked after a moment's consideration.
"Of course! Might I ask if the fair lady is an alchemist?"
"I've had some modest success refining them. I was curious about your buying price."
"Bigu dan are only low-tier first-grade pills, useful for travel or seclusion. They sell well, but our purchase price is naturally lower—how does two and a half stones sound?"
The attendant's smile didn't reach his eyes. He clearly doubted the quality of her pills—or was lowballing her due to her low cultivation.
"My apologies for wasting your time." She turned and left without another word.
Did he take her for a fool? She had already checked the casual cultivators stalls—selling independently could fetch three and a half stones per bottle. Even shops usually offered three.
Next, she visited the Li Family's store. Their attitude was far more professional. After inspecting her pills, they offered three stones per bottle for the mid-to-low grade and three and a half for the two mid-grade batches.
Satisfied, she sold all ten bottles for a total of thirty-one stones—then spent seventeen on a new batch of Spirit Restoration Pills.
She also purchased the seeds Uncle Yong'an had requested, along with Breath Nurturing Grass seeds—a key ingredient for late-stage Qi Refining pills. Planting them now in her spatial realm would save her future expenses.
An hour later...
Chen Jinshu wandered through the bustling rogue stalls, where cultivators of all backgrounds haggled over exotic wares.
Rumors claimed these stalls were treasure troves for lucky finds—would today be her day?
"Oof!"
A sudden, brutal shoulder-check sent her staggering.
"You—!" She clutched her throbbing shoulder, fury flashing in her eyes as she recognized the offender.
"Oh my, so sorry!"
"Chen Jinli, you did that on purpose!" Her voice was icy.
"I already said it was an accident. What more do you want?"
With a sneer, Chen Jinli suddenly lunged for her veil.
Chen Jinshu twisted away, putting distance between them. "What are you doing?!"
"Just letting everyone see that ugly face of yours."
The surrounding cultivators turned to watch the spectacle.
"I have no time for this." Chen Jinshu shot her a glare and turned to leave.
"You ruined my cousin's cultivation—did you think you'd walk away unscathed?" Jinli's voice dripped venom.
"Whoosh!"
A spear of condensed spiritual energy shot toward Chen Jinshu's head.
Her sharp reflexes saved her—she dodged just in time. The spear tore through her veil and "Clang!" embedded itself into the ground, leaving a fist-sized crater.
Her heart pounded. Had she been a fraction slower, that attack would have pierced her skull. Chen Jinli was also at the third layer of Qi Refining, but with far more combat experience.
"You dare attack in the market? You're breaking the rules!" Chen Jinshu's voice rang out, sharp and clear.
Silence fell.
A crushing pressure descended as a Foundation Establishment elder materialized.
"Who disturbs the peace?!"
Chen Jinli paled—she had forgotten the market's ironclad rule: No violence, under any circumstances. Violators faced crippled cultivation and exile.
"Elder, this woman tried to kill me without provocation!" Chen Jinshu shielded her forehead with her fan, her tone trembling with feigned fear.
She had the upper hand. Any unjust ruling would tarnish the market's reputation.
"You dare mock our laws?!" The elder's hand clamped around Chen Jinli's throat, lifting her off the ground.
"M-mercy! I—I was just joking with my cousin!" Chen Jinli gasped, face purpling.
"A joke? You think attempted murder is a joke?" Upon hearing this, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator's tone became grim and his strength became more fierce, as if his five fingers were going to pierce her throat.
"I—I'm the Lin Family heir's betrothed!" she choked out desperately.