The Market 

Following the city streets, Zhang Xuan quickly arrived at the city.

This market was originally used to sell daily necessities and some small trinkets. It was similar to the markets on the Blue Planet. However, because of the participation of cultivators, today's market was particularly lively.

Before he entered the city, Zhang Xuan heard someone shouting.

"It's a good spring jade pill! Only three spirit stones each!"

"Cheap spells and talismans. Don't miss this great bargain!"

"It's my family's fire avoidance technique. It's indestructible. Fellow Daoists, please come and take a look!" 

 … 

The clamoring attracted Zhang Xuan's interest. It seemed that this was the temporary trading place the cultivator had mentioned.

After entering the city, Zhang Xuan realized that there weren't many people outside. The ordinary people had all gone home because they were worried about the beast tide, so the place where they sold groceries was cold.

However, the cultivators' trading area was very popular. Usually, it was very difficult for the rogue cultivators and sect disciples in the city to get together.

Cultivators were also human beings, and they also yearned for a lively atmosphere. Moreover, it would be easier for them to obtain the resources they wanted when they gathered from all sides. That was why this place was bustling.

After arriving at the temporary market, Zhang Xuan started to search for the things he wanted.

In order to make his goods more eye-catching, the stall owner directly placed them out in the open. There were unknown jade artifacts that were round and smooth, magical medicinal pills that were crystal clear and shiny on the surface, and some weapons such as swords and knives that were engraved with talismans.

A hundred flowers bloomed, and Zhang Xuan's eyes were dazzled. However, Zhang Xuan couldn't find the wind crystal and moon crystal he was looking for.

It wasn't until Zhang Xuan came to the end of the market and saw a stall owner selling groceries that he walked up and asked, "Boss, do you have wind crystals, moon crystals, or frost crystals?"

The reason why Zhang Xuan wanted the frost crystals was because he wanted the perfect evolution. Although there were no records of such an evolution path, Zhang Xuan still wanted to try.

If he could succeed, Little Moon's mutated attributes would be greatly enhanced, and her combat power would rise to a higher level.

The stall owner was a man with a mustache and a warm smile on his face. Hearing Zhang Xuan's question, the stall owner quickly said, "Yes, sir, but what do you want them for?"

Zhang Xuan felt weird about what he wanted. 

"These crystals are inferior spirit stones. Not only is the absorption rate low for cultivation, but they also don't have much effect. Do you want to consider something else?" The stall owner could tell that Zhang Xuan was a newbie and thought that he didn't know the situation, so he reminded him.

However, Zhang Xuan didn't want this to be for his own cultivation, so he waved his hand and said, "It's not for cultivation. You don't need to care."

"I'm a busybody. Please forgive me." The stall owner smiled apologetically and took out a box from under the stall. 

The box was opened, and there were some wind crystals and ice crystals inside.

Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up, but his expression was calm. "What's the total price of these? If I can afford it, I'll take them all."

The stall owner hesitated for a moment before replying, "These crystals can't be sold for a good price. It can only be used for children to play with or as supplementary material. If you want all of them, I can give you a reasonable price, five spirit stones." 

Zhang Xuan frowned. Along the way, he discovered that the materials here were all exchanged with spirit stones.

Spirit stones were this world's hard currency and were even more valuable than silver. Each spirit stone had a specific amount by default.

The crystal that Zhang Xuan wanted was a mixed spirit stone and was basically useless, so it wasn't worth much. The price of five spirit stones was very reasonable. 

The thing was, Zhang Xuan didn't have any spirit stones! He did have some silver, but it wouldn't work here.

"I'm sorry," Zhang Xuan said after some thought. "I came out in a hurry today and happened to pass by. I don't have any spirit stones with me. Is it possible to use bartering for this transaction?"

"Of course, you can!" The boss was all smiles.

In the world of cultivators, many resources were hard to come by. For example, some special equipment and treasures might not be valuable, but it was very difficult to find them. Therefore, the method of exchanging items was more favored by these stall owners. 

Although Zhang Xuan was young, he might have something he needed. He asked, "What do you want to trade? The value of the item is different, so the amount required is also different."

Zhang Xuan thought about it, and he only brought some talismans. Hence, he took out a talisman and said, "This is the imperial wind spell talisman that I refined. In addition, I also have the rejuvenation spell and fireball spell talismans. These three types of talismans are the most basic ones. Their value is not high, but it should be enough for your crystals."

"Talismans! Of course, you can!" The stall owner's eyes lit up when he heard that. Talismans weren't something that could only be found by chance. Anyone who was willing to pay could buy them.

However, the refinement of talismans and elixirs required the work of specific blacksmiths. Furthermore, the refinement process was very troublesome. Even the most basic talismans were usually very expensive.

Take the wind crystal and the imperial wind spell talisman, for example. A piece of miscellaneous spirit stone like the wind crystal couldn't even be exchanged for one spirit stone as currency.

However, a basic talisman of the imperial wind spell can be sold for the price of ten spirit stones!

This was because the total amount of this thing was too small, and it could be used instantly in battle. If it was a rich disciple, he could use it without caring about his life, and there was no need to worry about running out of true Qi. It was the same for the other types of talismans.

In his excitement, the stall owner quickly took the talisman. "Please wait a moment, sir. This talisman of yours is enough to exchange for all the crystals I have. I'll wrap them up for you now, ah no! You can take the box with you!" 

The stall owner passed the box of crystals to Zhang Xuan. To him, miscellaneous spirit stones were almost useless. He had only come here today to see and earn some pocket money. He didn't even intend to sell them.

However, talismans could save one's life at a critical moment, so it was obvious which one was more important.

Of course, Zhang Xuan didn't hesitate. Crystals were useless to them, but he needed them.

After getting the crystals, Zhang Xuan used a talisman to exchange for some basic pills for cultivation. These pills were more expensive but not as expensive as talismans.

Now that Zhang Xuan was about to break through to Qi Gathering level 4, with these pills, his progress would be much smoother.

After completing the trade, Zhang Xuan said, "Boss, pay attention to moon crystals. If you can get them, I'll trade my talismans for them. I'll come here often in the next few days, and I'll come to find you when the time comes."

"Good sir, I'll definitely get them for you in less than two days!" The stall owner was very happy and accepted the business deal. Moon crystals were not valuable and could be easily obtained.

To Zhang Xuan, talismans were also something he could easily make. Therefore, the two of them hit it off, and each took what they needed.

Then, Zhang Xuan left the place. But before he left, he bought some materials for talismans.