Over there, quite a few people were watching Ling Xiao, including some warriors at the Martial Vein Realm.
However, he didn’t care at all.
In fact, he even hoped someone would come looking for trouble.
He really wanted to see what kind of effect he could achieve in actual combat after suppressing most of his true energy and other energies.
Deep down, warriors always had a belligerent streak, though many were unwilling to admit it.
Unfortunately, those people didn’t seem to realise he was consuming low-grade True Essence Pills.
They probably thought he was just eating beans.
Hmm?
As Ling Xiao swallowed the low-grade True Essence Pill, he noticed a different sensation.
Logically, this low-grade True Essence Pill should have no effect on enhancing the cultivation of a third-layer Mortal Realm warrior, merely replenishing true energy.
But to his surprise, with his muscles already exhausted and his true energy nearly depleted, the low-grade True Essence Pill entered his body and was instantly absorbed completely by his parched body.
It felt like pouring water onto dry, cracked ground.
Not only did his cultivation improve slightly, but even his physical condition felt refined.
There were even signs of progress in areas that had long been stagnant.
“Quite interesting,” he remarked.
A delighted smile spread across Ling Xiao’s face.
Master Yuan Zun was indeed a former grandmaster, a former powerhouse; this training method tailored for him was truly remarkable.
“Master, shall we continue?”
“Mm, ahead should be the last inhabited place on the edge of the Fulong Mountain Range, called ‘Sha Family Fort’.”
Ling Xiao nodded, then slowly stood up, feeling noticeably lighter on his feet compared to before.
Despite carrying the Array Refining Stone, which prevented him from using Cloud Dragon Divine Steps, his speed was still much faster than that of ordinary warriors.
As the scorching sun turned into a warm sunset, he finally arrived at Sha Family Fort.
It was a place located on the edge of the Fulong Mountain Range.
It could be considered a village, though it was rather large due to the many warriors who came here.
Sha Family Fort was close to the depths of the Fulong Mountain Range, so many who ventured there for adventure or to complete sect missions would stop here for a while, preparing ample food and tools before heading deeper into the mountains.
The buildings here were mostly made of sandstone, looking quite sturdy.
Along the way, Ling Xiao encountered many Mortal Realm warriors, and he, who initially seemed somewhat unique, no longer stood out as much.
Warriors were either discussing tasks, debating worldly affairs, or talking about a certain senior or junior sister from some sect, bursting into laughter that only men would understand.
Interestingly, Ling Xiao overheard some talk about himself.
It seemed the events in Green Valley had made quite an impact.
Sha Family Fort wasn’t a town, but though small, it had everything one might need.
Pharmacies, blacksmiths, food shops, and the like were all present.
Almost every shop was packed with people, with warriors from various sects generously spending large amounts of silver to buy what they fancied, appearing to ordinary folk as foolishly rich.
To these warriors, however, gold and silver were practically worthless.
“Let’s check out the pharmacy,” Yuan Zun suggested. “Being close to the depths of the Fulong Mountain Range, they often receive some rare herbs. But small places like this lack skilled pharmacists, so they might not recognise some treasures. We might find a bargain.”
Ling Xiao thought this made sense.
Besides, with night falling, entering the depths of the Fulong Mountain Range now would be too dangerous, so he planned to stay overnight in Sha Family Fort and set out early the next morning.
Although the Moon Festival was approaching, some things couldn’t be rushed.
The pharmacy was quite large, not at all inferior to those in big cities like Cloud Sky City.
Most impressively, the shop had an unusual “Light-Absorbing Array” set up on the ceiling.
This array had no offensive power, but it could absorb sunlight during the day and release it at night.
A good Light-Absorbing Array could last over ten days without issue.
This pharmacy’s array was slightly less impressive but could still sustain light for about three hours, more than enough for their needs.
Entering the pharmacy felt no different from daytime, with the light being soft and slightly warm, making the chilly night air less harsh.
The shop was crowded, and Ling Xiao’s entrance didn’t attract much attention, except for a glance from the shopkeeper.
Ling Xiao wasn’t wearing the robes of the Moon Flower Sect, only ordinary clothes, though they still looked relatively luxurious to common folk.
His outfit was worth at least ten taels of silver.
For such wealthy customers, the pharmacy staff generally didn’t watch too closely, wary of offending potential big spenders.
Undisturbed, Ling Xiao could calmly search the pharmacy, looking for the overlooked treasures Master Yuan Zun hoped to find.
Various herbs, fruits, and materials from demon beasts and ferocious beasts used for alchemy were all available here.
“Master, it seems Sha Family Fort must have some skilled alchemists. Almost all the valuable materials have already been bought up,” Ling Xiao said secretly to Yuan Zun via transmission.
“Mm, your analysis is correct, but only to a point. This alchemist’s skill is still far inferior to Old Yang’s, let alone mine. Despite their pickiness, they’ve still overlooked an extremely precious material,” Yuan Zun replied.
“I noticed it too,” Ling Xiao said with a smile. “But Master, is that thing worth buying?”
“Of course it is. I’m planning to teach you to refine a low-grade Yellow Rank pill, and this material is essential. Buy it!” Yuan Zun transmitted.
Ling Xiao nodded, then casually wandered around before stopping by the material he had his eye on and saying, “Shop assistant, please take out this herb for me.”
He was a bit overly cautious; there was no need for it. The item had been sitting there for at least a month without anyone taking it, indicating no one recognised its value.
Even if he seemed eager, the assistant would likely just find it odd and not care too much.
The shop assistant had been watching Ling Xiao for a while.
Initially, seeing Ling Xiao’s expensive clothes, he thought he’d landed a big customer. But after all this time, the guy only picked out a cheap herb, which annoyed him.
“One hundred taels of silver,” the assistant said flatly.
Ling Xiao casually reached for the silver.
One hundred taels was nothing to him, practically something he wouldn’t bother picking up off the ground.
“No need to give him that much. For such an ordinary herb, even one tael of silver is too much, and he dares ask for a hundred!” a voice suddenly called out.
