Chapter 20: Inducing Technique, I Know It!
Chapter 20: Inducing Technique, I Know It!
The three of them entered the market, and a bustling scene unfolded before Chu Ning.
"High-quality talismans and charms for sale! We've got attack and defense talismans and more!"
"Premium spirit rice from the Chen family, guaranteed quality."
...
Just a few steps into the market, Chu Ning was greeted by a cacophony of hawkers, and he found himself both intrigued and surprised.
He hadn't expected that the markets in the cultivation world would be so similar to those in the mortal realm.
Of course, the items for sale here were all related to cultivation.
There were various talismans, spiritual plants, magical artifacts, and pills, all displayed in a dazzling array that truly broadened Chu Ning's horizons.
Qiu Shunyi, who had been here twice before, acted as their guide.
"This area near the outskirts of the market is mostly occupied by smaller cultivation families, so the quality of the goods here is relatively lower.
The further you go towards the center, the stronger the family clans, and right at the very center is where you'll find the largest stores belonging to our Qingxi Sect and some other major merchants."
Chu Ning was a little surprised to hear this and asked, "I thought our Qingxi Sect had the biggest store in Qinghe Market?"
"No!" Qiu Shunyi shook his head.
"I heard from Brother Shang that the largest store here is Yunhai Pavilion.
Not just here, but in all the markets near Qingxia Mountain Range, Yunhai Pavilion is the biggest.
After all, our various sects have numerous disciples, and many of the best resources are used internally.
Yunhai Pavilion, on the other hand, specializes in doing business with cultivators, so they often have rare treasures up for sale."
Chu Ning nodded in understanding; this made sense to him.
As they strolled through the market, Chu Ning soon discovered that it wasn't just a place to sell goods; many were also seeking to purchase items.
Some shops had signs advertising their desire to "purchase various spiritual plants and medicinal ingredients" or "buy spirit beasts," while others were surprisingly advertising job openings.
The content on these signs was even more bizarre and piqued Chu Ning's curiosity.
"Blood Moon Cow about to produce milk, seeking a Spirit Beast Tamer skilled in Inducing Milk technique (instant spellcasting required). Price negotiable."
"Spirit Breath Grass needs stimulation, seeking a Spirit Plant Cultivator skilled in Inducing technique (instant spellcasting required). Price negotiable."
...
Chu Ning pointed to one of the signs in a shop and asked Qiu Shunyi, "Do we have disciples in our sect who can do this kind of work?"
Qiu Shunyi smiled as he recalled his own surprise the first time he saw such signs. "Of course, these signs are meant for people like us.
There are many menial disciples in Qingxi Sect, and we all need resources for our cultivation. The sect actually allows us to come out here and earn some extra spirit stones.
But I heard from Brother Shang that the ones who post these job offers are mostly dependent on the sect or families that have a cooperative relationship with the sect.
Others are not allowed to randomly post such job offers; the sect doesn't want its disciples working too much for other powers."
Chu Ning nodded again, then asked with a puzzled look, "I wonder how many of our sect's disciples take on these kinds of jobs?"
"Not many, as far as I know," replied Lu Xingyuan, who had been quiet until now.
"I heard from the senior brother I used to follow that these cultivation families actually have people within their ranks who can perform basic spells, but they come here to hire only when there are special requirements.
The compensation these families offer is usually not high, sometimes just a few pieces of shattered spirit stones.
For example, in the case of spiritual plants, only disciples from the Ding district might be interested, but they often don't meet the spellcasting requirements.
So, it's usually only when a senior brother from the Bing district happens to be here and is really short on spirit stones that they'll take on these kinds of jobs."
Chu Ning finally understood after hearing this explanation. Although it was his first time visiting the market, he had been in the cultivation world for a few months now and wasn't completely clueless.
Shattered spirit stones were incomplete spirit stones that didn't contain as much spiritual energy as whole ones, so they were less valuable.
For example, a whole low-grade spirit stone usually weighed around ten liang.
But if you wanted to exchange it for shattered spirit stones, you'd often need twelve or even thirteen liang, and most people wouldn't even bother with the exchange.
This thought excited Chu Ning. These disciples might not care, but he certainly did!
He hadn't learned the Inducing Milk technique, but he knew the Inducing technique!
Having already reached the fourth layer of Qi cultivation, he had mastered various techniques like the Inducing technique, the Cleansing technique, and the Green Wood Eternal Spring Art. Both the Inducing and Cleansing techniques could be cast instantly.
Taking on these hiring missions might be a good way for him to earn some shattered spirit stones.
Moreover, performing these auxiliary spells probably wouldn't expose his true cultivation level.
Although they were just shattered spirit stones, they were still tempting to Chu Ning, who was currently penniless.
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Chu Ning maintained a calm demeanor as he continued browsing the market with his companions.
They even made their way to the center of the market, checking out the stores of the Qingxi Sect and Yunhai Pavilion, which were indeed more impressive and grand.
After strolling for about half an hour, Chu Ning suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear, I just remembered that an elder brother asked me to run an errand for him earlier. You two take your time and explore; I'll be right back."
Qiu Shunyi and Lu Xingyuan were slightly taken aback but didn't say much. They agreed to meet at the market entrance after an hour.
Considering his unpredictable schedule and his faster traveling speed due to his higher cultivation level, Chu Ning added, "If I'm not there after an hour, just go on without me. I walk faster, so don't wait."
Knowing that Chu Ning had already reached the second layer of Qi Refinement and was indeed faster than them, Qiu Shunyi and Lu Xingyuan didn't object.
Chu Ning bid them farewell and turned onto a side street he had passed earlier, soon arriving at the store that had advertised the need for someone skilled in the Inducing technique.
Inside the store, a middle-aged man in plain clothes, with a slight beard and a genial expression, greeted him.
Chu Ning subtly sensed the man's cultivation level and estimated him to be at the second layer of Qi Refinement.
The middle-aged man, whose surname was Song and was the shopkeeper, noticed Chu Ning's entrance.
When he couldn't perceive Chu Ning's cultivation depth, he realized that Chu Ning's cultivation was higher than his own, so he smiled even more broadly and approached the counter to greet him.
"Welcome, esteemed customer. My surname is Song, and I'm the manager here. How may I assist you?"
It was normal for Manager Song to be unable to discern Chu Ning's cultivation level, as Chu Ning had discreetly released a portion of his cultivation aura, adjusting it to match the third layer of Qi Refinement.
Chu Ning knew that if he presented himself as a second-layer cultivator, the store might not take him seriously for the hiring mission. But at the third layer, it was a different story.
There were quite a few menial disciples in the Qingxi Sect who had reached the third layer of Qi Refinement and excelled in spellcasting.
Chu Ning directly pointed to the sign outside and asked, "Manager, I see that you need someone to induce the Spirit Breath Grass?"
"Indeed!" Manager Song's eyes lit up at Chu Ning's inquiry about the Spirit Breath Grass.
"May I ask if you're proficient in the Inducing technique?"
Chu Ning nodded slightly. "I can cast the Inducing technique instantly. If that's your only requirement, I should be able to meet it."
Upon hearing this, Manager Song immediately stepped out from behind the counter and held out a seed, saying, "This is an Iron Wire Vine seed. May I trouble you to demonstrate your skill on it?"
Chu Ning saw the Iron Wire Vine seed in the man's hand and secretly smirked. He was very familiar with this plant.
However, upon further thought, it made sense that they would use this common vine for testing.
Chu Ning even wondered if the Iron Wire Vine was the standard plant used for demonstrating spirit plant spells in this market.
Without reaching for the seed, Chu Ning channeled his spiritual power, pointed his finger, and instantly cast the Inducing technique on the seed in Manager Song's hand.
The Iron Wire Vine seed quickly sprouted a delicate green vine, just as it would naturally.
After the demonstration, Chu Ning looked at Manager Song expectantly.
"Shall we discuss the remuneration now?"
(End of Chapter)
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