Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Shopping, Golden Core Forbidden Technique
"I would like to purchase a First Tier Spirit Vein, the kind you can buy outright!"
Li Ye voiced his first request.
"A First Tier Spirit Vein, do you want a specific element, or a non-attributive balanced Five Elements Spirit Vein?" asked the Spiritual Mechanism Vine.
In principle, the Four Seasons Sect wouldn’t easily sell off Spirit Veins.
Even if they were to sell, it would have to be to someone affiliated with the Four Seasons Sect, otherwise if external sects bought large quantities with Spirit Stones, wouldn’t that cause a problem?
Li Ye now had this authority.
To the subordinate forces and disciples of the sect, the Four Seasons Sect was always very generous.
"Hmm."
When he previously inspected that Spirit Vein Willow, Li Ye had already noticed it was a Spirit Plant with an Earth Attribute, so he replied, "An Earth Attribute Spirit Vein."
"Ten thousand Spirit Stones."
As they spoke, the Spiritual Mechanism Vine, from who knows where, rolled out a small, crystal-clear orb, within which a slender, root-like light trace, glowing with an earthy yellow halo, could be seen curled up.
Is this a Spirit Vein? Can it really be contained in a single orb?
Truly marvelous.
Li Ye quickly took out ten thousand Spirit Stones, which, when placed on the ground, were directly collected, and the orb containing the Spirit Vein was also handed over to him.
Having never handled such an item before, Li Ye was concerned it might be heavy.
Yet as he held it, it was light as a feather, almost weightless, and he couldn’t feel any Spiritual Qi within, as if it were an ordinary object.
The Spiritual Mechanism Vine said, "It’s simple to use this. Just pierce it with a Golden Needle, then plant the Spirit Vein into the earth, and it will take root."
"However, your courtyard probably doesn’t have a Spirit Vein Plate. I suggest you spend another thousand Spirit Stones to buy a Spirit Vein Plate to lock in the source of the Spirit Vein and delineate the area where it should flow.
Otherwise, it may escape."
This was indeed money worth spending, so Li Ye took out another thousand Spirit Stones, swapping for a jade plate resembling an Eight Trigrams Plate.
However, all the trigrams on it were Gen, with grooves just large enough to hold a Spirit Vein Pearl.
"Upon returning, place the Spirit Vein Pearl in any groove, then divide the Spiritual Power Threads using your Divine Sense.
Remember, once this item is used, it will record your Divine Sense fluctuations.
In the future, it can neither be altered nor activated by any power other than that which matches your Divine Sense exactly, so once used, there’s no going back!"
After explaining, the Spiritual Mechanism Vine continued, "It seems you have other needs as well. Speak them out all at once, so we don’t have to handle each one separately."
"...I also wish to find a Forbidden Technique to control a Spirit Beast and refurbish my courtyard, separating a place for Taoist discussions with others," said Li Ye.
"Your courtyard is easy to handle. It’s already spacious, and partitioning an acre should suffice. Regarding controlling a Spirit Beast..."
"What tier of Spirit Beast do you want to control?"
Li Ye’s expression remained unchanged, "Golden Core."
The binding requires at least two thousand points of Vital Essence, definitely not ordinary, so might as well admit to using the Golden Core.
Otherwise, if what he bought couldn’t control it, it would truly be troublesome.
"..."
Su Ya’s expression changed slightly, and the Spiritual Mechanism Vine somehow let out a "tsk tsk" sound, "You really are bold, daring to disclose such matters to outsiders."
"I am genuinely seeking guidance and have no intention to hide."
Li Ye had now proven his capabilities and was perceptive of the Four Seasons Sect’s regard for him. This might be his boldest and most adventurous decision.
— In his heart, he was anxious, while Su Ya and the Spiritual Mechanism Vine were filled with admiration, recognizing that this Taoist Friend Li/ Friend Li, at certain times, exhibited an extraordinary daring, being truly remarkable when he finally took action.
And because they understood the hardships and cautiousness of being a Loose Cultivator, they found Li Ye exceptional and trustworthy, a difficult feat indeed.
But for them, this was undoubtedly a welcome sight, cultivating a sense of belonging for a future sect brother.
Su Ya blinked slyly, hinting, "Taoist Friend Li, the marketplace is quite safe.
If there really are unsolvable problems, you can seek help from Martial Uncle Spiritual Mechanism Vine, who is... very strong!"
The Spiritual Mechanism Vine tried to appear solemn, but it being just a vine, no matter what, didn’t convey that feeling.
It directly offered Li Ye three options:
"This Golden Ring is effective on Golden Core level beasts."
"This Blood Ban Technique is adept at restraining incorporeal Spirit Beasts."
"This Forbidden Character specializes in subduing grass and wood spiritual creatures."
The three items provided covered virtually all types of Spirit Beasts, leaving only the exceptionally rare ones.
If Li Ye needed other types, they could also be provided.
"I’ll take the third item."
The Locust Spirit Scroll, which certainly seemed born of grass and wood essence.
"For this item, I’ll offer you a discount, fifty thousand Spirit Stones."
"..."
What a steep price, fifty thousand Spirit Stones.
If not for acquiring a batch of Spirit Stones earlier, even selling Li Ye wouldn’t cover such a cost.
Though such a Forbidden Technique is generally sold to Low-Tier Cultivators.
If they truly were High-Tier Cultivators, they could easily prevail over Spirit Beasts and likely possess several Beast Taming Techniques.
If a Spirit Beast could be subdued till it couldn’t resist, applying the Forbidden Technique was merely for juniors as protection.
Hence, those needing such an item typically aren’t high in cultivation, and the cost isn’t considered too exorbitant.
Li Ye forked over fifty thousand Spirit Stones to buy what essentially was a single sheet of yellow paper with the "Forbidden" character inscribed on it.
The recently acquired Spirit Stones were more than half gone, but resolving matters with the Locust Spirit Scroll and Spirit Vein Willow was indeed something good.
"Thank you, Senior Spiritual Mechanism Vine, this is the Peach Blossom Wine I brewed and the Purple Oil Spring Rain I collected," he offered the carefully prepared gifts to the Spiritual Mechanism Vine.
"Oh, not bad at all!"
The latter gladly accepted with a smile.
Since Su Ya was still present, Li Ye didn’t forget to also give him a bottle of Peach Blossom Wine.
Subsequently, Li Ye took his leave, but before he could depart, Su Ya called out:
"In a few days, I’m delivering wheat to the mortal lands of my Four Seasons Sect. You should go with me and remember to bring some Qi Fortune Shining Gold."
"It’ll be beneficial to you!"
After his cryptic words, Su Ya waved and left.
Li Ye watched with a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Half-spoken words! Is this a trait common to all cultivators?
These enigmatic riddlers indeed—yet he didn’t really mind.
For now, he had things he’s long awaited to attend to, leaving little room for other thoughts.
He’ll deal with these matters first.
The Locust Spirit Scroll, Spirit Vein Willow!
Who knows what surprises they might bring me?