NOVPUBTang Xiuyuan pondered for a moment, then spoke, "Second Order Superior Spirit Detonation Beads are priced at five thousand Spirit Stones each."
"This Blue Star Armor, created from the hide of a Blue Horned Rhino in the Second Order Late Phase, possesses exceptionally strong defensive power, and is priced at eleven thousand Spirit Stones!"
"As for these Second Order Superior Attack Talisman papers, they are three thousand Spirit Stones each, while the Second Order Medium Quality Defense Talisman papers are two thousand five hundred Spirit Stones each."
Upon hearing the prices quoted by Tang Xiuyuan, Lin Tianming furrowed his brows and then immediately questioned, "Daoist Tang, why are these talisman papers so much more expensive than before?"
"Hehe... Lin, you are not taking into account the current situation. The beast tide attacks continue, and the prices of all treasures such as Spirit Fruits, elixirs, Magic Artifacts, and talisman papers that can swiftly enhance strength have started to skyrocket."
"If it weren’t for the fact that I hit it off with you right away, coupled with your generous spending and forthright personality, I would definitely charge others more than this."
Tang Xiuyuan’s flattery and his reasoned and emotional explanation slightly improved the look on Lin Tianming’s face.
In reality, Lin Tianming also knew what Tang Xiuyuan was saying wasn’t wrong. Not just in Qianchuan Market, but in any small and medium-sized market within the Wei Kingdom’s Cultivation World, the prices for such war preparations and resources had all substantially increased.
Take the Luoyun Market under the control of the Lin Family, for example, the prices of these treasures had generally risen by thirty percent compared to normal times.
Considering this, the prices given by Tang Xiuyuan were fairly honest, and he wasn’t asking for an exorbitant amount.
At that moment, Lin Tianming began to consider that although the prices of these treasures were not low, as time went on, if the beast tide attacks did not recede shortly, the prices of these treasures might very well continue to climb.
Furthermore, these treasures at this time were almost as rare as hen’s teeth, becoming more scarce as time went on.
If he didn’t act now, after a while, he might not even have the opportunity to replenish his supplies.
With these thoughts, he quickly made up his mind. Regardless of the cost, he must acquire them to enhance his strength as much as possible.
Having decided, Lin Tianming spoke, "Daoist Tang, I’ll take the Spirit Detonation Beads and Blue Star Armor, along with these two Second Order Superior Attack Talisman papers, and three Second Order Medium Quality Defense Talisman papers."
"This is a large transaction for me, so I expect you to offer a fair price!"
"Hehe... Naturally, you certainly spend like no other, Lin," Tang Xiuyuan nodded and complimented.
"The Spirit Detonation Beads and Blue Star Armor together are priced at sixteen thousand Spirit Stones, and these five Second Order Talisman papers combined are thirteen thousand five hundred Spirit Stones, making a total of twenty-nine thousand five hundred Spirit Stones."
"Since you are so straightforward, I won’t say much more. Let’s settle the total for twenty-nine thousand Spirit Stones, how about that?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiuyuan reduced the price by five hundred Spirit Stones in one go, and Lin Tianming nodded in satisfaction.
"Let’s do as you say, Daoist Tang. However, the next time you have a Fake Golden Core Talisman or any other outstanding treasures, remember to keep them for me, or at least give me an advance notice!" Lin Tianming said with a smile.
Upon hearing Lin Tianming agree to the substantial transaction, Tang Xiuyuan’s expression was one of joy, as he stood to extract a sizeable number of Spirit Stones from the deal, which would also lead to obtaining more resources in the Sky Dragon Pavilion in the future.
Gathering his wits, Tang Xiuyuan chuckled and patted his chest in response, "No problem, Lin. Rest assured, I’ll notify you as soon as there’s anything good!"
"Hmm..."
Lin Tianming nodded, then took out a large number of Spirit Stones and handed them to Tang Xiuyuan on the spot.
Tang Xiuyuan received the substantial number of Spirit Stones, quickly verified the amount with his Divine Sense, and handed over the treasures that Lin Tianming had purchased.
The transaction completed, both parties reaped considerable benefits, leaving them both in good spirits.
After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Tianming then asked, "Daoist Tang, regarding the beast tide attacks, does your noble family, as one of Qingzhou’s top powers, have any significant news to share?"
Hearing the question, Tang Xiuyuan appeared bewildered. As a power in Qingzhou likened to a towering giant, the Tang Family naturally had a more detailed grasp of the events occurring throughout the entire region.
However, he was merely a peripheral member of the Tang Family, with neither outstanding talent nor cultivation, which is why he became one of the consuls at the Qianchuan Market for the Sky Dragon Pavilion.
This status afforded him a middle-ground standing in the Qianchuan Market, but even Golden Core cultivators treated him quite courteously.
Yet all this was only because he was born into the Tang Family, which provided a powerful background to support him. Without the Tang Family’s backing, his cultivation talent would hardly be worth mentioning.
As for the information Lin Tianming was seeking, he indeed knew a bit more than the average person.
That’s because the Tang Family’s caravans would periodically travel through Qingzhou’s major and large markets, responsible for allocating various resources and collecting treasures, which would ultimately be sent back to the Tang family clan lands. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
As one of the few consuls in Qianchuan Market, he could get some of the latest news about the Qingzhou land from the leaders in charge of transporting goods.
Regaining his composure, he looked at Lin Tianming’s seemingly amused expression and thought that since Lin Tianming approached him for several major business dealings, it would not hurt to reveal some information.
After all, this news would eventually spread far and wide. Revealing some information earlier might obligate Lin Tianming to owe him a favor, so why not do it!
With these thoughts, he immediately began to speak, "Daoist Lin, the annihilation of Yuanwu Country’s cultivation realm has already been reported."
"As far as I know, the Beast Tide Army is currently in Yuanzhen Kingdom’s cultivation realm. Thanks to the support of several neighboring countries’ forces, numerous cultivators have been dispatched, and the Beast Tide Army has been caught in a stalemate with the Human Race’s powers."
"Yuanzhen Kingdom is too far from Wei Kingdom to significantly affect Wei Kingdom’s cultivation world, so we needn’t worry too much."
"However, Daoist Lin should pay close attention to what’s happening on the Wei Kingdom’s cultivation side. After all, the nobility’s survival and development here are closely bound to the situation of the beast tide," he noted.
"Hehe..."
Lin Tianming smiled, then bowed in response, "Daoist Tang is correct. The outside world is indeed too distant for a minor clan like ours. We should focus all our attention on the immediate issues!"
"The Lin Family has limited strength and hardly understands the basic situation in the southern Wei Kingdom, so I would appreciate any insights from Daoist Tang!"
Tang Xiuyuan nodded and then began to explain, "Here in the Wei Kingdom’s cultivation world, the Three Great Golden Core Sects have had several rounds of clashes with the Monster Beast Legion at three locations, with both sides sustaining injuries, resulting in a temporary deadlock.
"In the mountains below, family forces have all suffered losses to varying degrees. However, these places are not the main battlefield, and if they survive the first wave of demonic beasts, the subsequent intensity should weaken," he added.
Lin Tianming sighed with relief upon hearing this. If the beast tide attacks were as ferocious as the first time, the pressure on the Lin Family would be enormous.
Regathering his thoughts, Tang Xiuyuan changed the topic to the Zhenyang Sect.
Tang Xiuyuan said, "The Three Great Sects issuing the Recruitment Order is also to minimize their own losses."
"Next, the cultivators gathered here in Qianchuan Market are likely to join the Golden Core cultivators of the Zhenyang Sect and converge at the main battlefield west of Zhenyang Sect’s mountain gate, the Songling Mountain Range," he continued.
"The Songling Mountain Range?" Lin Tianming pondered the situation regarding the Songling Mountain Range.
The Songling Mountain Range, situated near Zhenyang Sect’s mountain gate in the western part, is several times larger than the Luoyun Mountain Range and hosts many powers, including seven Foundation Establishing families, each stronger than the Jin Family had been.
Then, Tang Xiuyuan went on to say, "Things are chaotic at the Songling Mountain Range, with five of the major families already destroyed and the remaining two also suffering heavy losses."
"If not for Yangzong’s proactive deployment of cultivators, it’s likely that the entire Songling Mountain Range’s families would have ceased to exist!"
Hearing this, Lin Tianming was shocked. Seven families, each with respectable strength and guarded by Protective Clan Formations, had been wiped out by the demonic beasts—five of them completely. It was almost unbelievable.
