The King of Black Fog

"Fellow Daoist, what would you like to buy?" A shop attendant cupped his hands as he greeted her. "Our shop sells cultivation techniques from Qi Cultivation to Core Formation, with all kinds of spells available. Fair prices, no cheating!"

Qi Cultivation?

Core Formation?

What cultivation technique?

The young girl was momentarily stunned.

She gripped the branch at her waist tightly.

[Introduce the Qi Cultivation Techniques.]

"Introduce the Qi Cultivation Techniques." The young girl said, straightforwardly.

The shop attendant quickly sized her up, glanced at the bag on her shoulder, looked at the six spirit stones in her hand, and then smiled, "Please come inside!"

The shop attendant led the young girl inside.

The shop had a simple layout, with a table in the center. The surrounding walls were lined with beams of light, each containing countless jade scrolls, somewhat resembling a weapons store.

Above the jade scrolls, there were projections of figures sitting in meditation, continuously demonstrating the cultivation techniques to show the techniques' advantages—disadvantages? You'd know them once you practice, no need for further words.

A subtle fragrance wafted from somewhere, refreshing one's mind.

"How should I address the female Daoist?" Before beginning the introduction, the shop assistant asked.

Entranced by the scene before her, the young girl's face flushed. She hesitated a moment before finally speaking:

"'Shen'."

"Fellow Daoist Shen," the shop assistant said with a smile, "Take a look at this technique, 'Cloud Rain Green Wood Skill'. The path of practice is stable, guaranteeing no deviation, and it comes with 'Cloud Rain Skill', perfect for planting spirit plants, and it can even extend lifespan and enhance beauty. It only costs ten spirit stones."

On the jade scroll, a small figure summoned a small cloud, from which rain began to fall.

It can Call the Wind and Rain!

If she could learn this spell, she wouldn't have been sold off by her parents as a maid!

Excited, the girl stayed silent, waiting for the honorable god to speak.

Li Changzhou also remained silent.

The shop assistant observed the situation and continued walking forward, speaking:

"Then take a look at this, 'Fiery Flame Bathing Fire Technique', a fire element cultivation technique, with its own 'Fireball Technique', an excellent option in battle. If fellow Daoist Shen has a talent for alchemy or artifact refining, this technique would be excellent! Also only ten spirit stones!"

The girl said nothing, staring at the figure on the jade scroll, which formed a spell, sending a fireball the size of a ping-pong ball flying out, melting a block of iron.

With this spell, she'll make Master Liu bleed deeply!

"Then take a look at this one," the shop assistant stepped another step forward, "'Geng Metal Sword Qi Skill', a gold attribute cultivation technique. It's equally powerful in magical combat, with its own 'Golden Radiance Skill', perfect for applying to an iron shovel for mining."

The girl still said nothing.

The shop assistant continued introducing seven or eight more cultivation techniques, all excellent.

But the girl remained silent throughout.

The shop attendant couldn't help but finally asked, "Fellow Daoist Shen, if you have any requirements, feel free to say, our shop in Green Moon Square has the most complete selection of techniques."

Li Changzhou finally spoke.

[Cloud Rain Green Wood Skill]

The girl was already in a daze, these techniques that could lead to immortality were just within reach. Only needing to spend spirit stones to acquire them, she couldn't imagine.

Dazed as she was, it didn't prevent her from repeating the words of the honorable god.

"Cloud Rain Green Wood Skill." She said.

"All right!" The shop assistant gestured, and the jade scroll of the "Cloud Rain Green Wood Skill" flew out from the light beam, hovering above the shop assistant's palm. "Ten spirit stones. Are you planning to pay with spirit stones or exchange something?"

[Too expensive]

"Too expensive." The girl said with a burning desire.

The shop assistant gave a bitter smile: "Fellow Daoist Shen, these cultivation techniques are priced clearly, and it even comes with a low-level spell. It's already quite a deal. A single low-level spell sells individually for three spirit stones."

[Then three spirit stones.]

"Then three spirit stones."

"....." The shop assistant paused.

"That's not possible." He shook his head, "Really not possible. We don't haggle here. If you really want it, seeing you're young, we can offer you a discount, and it would be nine spirit stones."

[Four]

"Four."

The shop attendant just gave a bitter smile, saying nothing.

[Five]

"Five."

The shop assistant lifted the jade scroll, gently tossed it back into the air, and it flew back into the light beam. He, in frustration, said: "Fellow Daoist Shen, it's really not possible."

"Six." The girl spread her hand. "That's all I have. If it doesn't work, I'm leaving."

"This—" The shop assistant was very troubled, but then he gritted his teeth, "Please wait a moment, I'll ask the boss and try to lower the price for you!"

[Hurry up]

"Hurry up."

The shop attendant cupped his hands and immediately dashed upstairs. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he returned, sweat dripping from his forehead, but with a look of joy.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, it's done! Just six spirit stones, and this 'Cloud Rain Green Wood Skill' that won't cause deviation, and comes with 'Cloud Rain Technique' is yours!"

The shop assistant retrieved the jade scroll again, along with a spiritual contract.

Li Changzhou swept over the contract with divine sense, which, besides disclaimers like no responsibility once leaving the premises, also included clauses against leaking or reselling the cultivation technique.

The girl pretended to scrutinize the contract, repeating: "You're not tricking me, right? It really won't cause deviation?"

"Rest assured! If you really experienced deviation, we guarantee a return or exchange! If you're not convinced, we can add that clause!"

The girl nodded in satisfaction.

The shop assistant smiled warmly at her. If she really fell into deviation, would she still be able to come back to the shop demanding a return or exchange? Surviving would be good enough.

The girl suddenly remembered something and said: "Does 'Cloud Rain Skill' really cost three spirit stones?"

"It really does! If you don't believe me, look, this is the spell section!"

The attendant led the girl to a wall, where there were several magic lamps. In the light, figures were practicing spells.

Under the 'Cloud Rain Skill' lamp, it was indeed marked for three spirit stones.

[Then I don't want the spell, only the technique, for three spirit stones]

"Then I don't want the spell, only the technique, for three spirit stones."

"You!!"

The girl said: "How about this? Add a clause to the spiritual contract stating that once I successfully cultivate the technique, I'll definitely come to your shop to buy a spell. You sell me the technique for two spirit stones."