A calculation flashed through the eyes of this casual cultivator. If they could win over this expert who was half a step away from building a foundation, the safety of their journey out of the mountain would be greatly improved.
"roll!"
Xu Chunniang looked straight ahead and cursed in a low voice.
The casual cultivator was scolded, but he didn't even dare to get angry and still maintained a respectful posture. He didn't smile bitterly and shook his head until the black figure with the bamboo hat disappeared.
"Half a step to building a foundation. I am only one foundation pill away from building a true foundation. When will I be able to reach this level of cultivation?"
Xu Chunniang ignored the sighs of others and walked down the mountain with a swagger, openly enjoying the envious and jealous looks of everyone.
She took in everyone's expressions and shook her head secretly.
It's just half a step to building the foundation, not the real foundation-building cultivation. What is there to envy or care about
Without building a foundation, one cannot be considered to have truly embarked on the path of cultivation, and one’s lifespan cannot escape the shackles of mortals.
After a peaceful journey, Xu Chunniang finally left the Baiyao Mountains.
Finding a deserted place, she took off her hat and put it away, then changed her clothes.
At the same time, he put away his spiritual manifestation technique and used the spiritual concealment technique.
Then she saw her cultivation level decline step by step, falling directly from the half-step foundation building to the middle stage of the fifth level of Qi training.
Xu Chunniang smiled with satisfaction and walked towards the market direction of Qingyun Town.
After nearly two months of intense fighting experience, she felt a long-lost sense of relaxation after returning to the market town.
There should be a balance between relaxation and tension in cultivation; alternating relaxation and tension is the right way.
For the next few days, Xu Chunniang simply stayed in the market town to recuperate.
This trip into the mountains brought a lot of gains. After my injuries heal, I must find an opportunity to sell what I have.
Xu Chunniang thought secretly that with her current level of cultivation, it would be difficult for her to successfully dispose of all the gains from this trip.
It would be best if we could find a magical tool like a bamboo hat that can conceal one’s appearance.
Only by relying on the cultivation level of half a step to building a foundation can he handle this batch of goods without arousing suspicion.
Moreover, having such a spiritual weapon would make things much easier in the future, as one would not be constrained by status and cultivation level.
After Xu Chunniang made up her mind, she went to the market every day.
This type of spiritual weapon is relatively rare, and after much searching, she finally found one.
"The Phantom Spirit Mask is a special spiritual tool of the first-class upper grade. It is made from the wings of a Phantom Spirit Butterfly at the seventh level of Qi training. This item can use spiritual power to create a new face. Once created by spiritual power, it can no longer be changed a second time. This item is ineffective against foundation-building cultivators."
Xu Chunniang was about to get the phantom mask when a waiter beside her stood in front of her and shouted at her.
"Stop it, this is a precious, top-grade spiritual weapon, do you think you deserve it if you break it?"
The guy was at the sixth level of Qi training. He was looking down at Xu Chunniang with a hint of disdain in his eyes.
He noticed this person as soon as Xu Chunniang walked in.
He has an ugly birthmark on his face and cannot even afford a low-grade rejuvenation pill. One can tell at first glance that he is a poor casual cultivator.
Your cultivation level at the fifth level of Qi training is not even as good as his, yet you still want to get your hands on a top-grade spiritual weapon
Don’t be a thief who wants to steal this valuable phantom mask when no one is paying attention.
Xu Chunniang felt a little unhappy. The way this man looked at her was as if he was looking at a thief, which made her feel very uncomfortable.
But she was determined to get this phantom mask. With it, she would have an additional identity.
Xu Chunniang ignored the suspicion in her heart and said calmly, "What's the price for this item? I'll buy it."
"You bought it? Can you afford it?"
The guy laughed as if he heard a joke.
"Even with all my savings over the years, I can't afford to buy a top-grade spiritual weapon, let alone a small casual cultivator like you. Get out and don't delay my business."
He was even more certain in his heart that this casual cultivator lied and said he wanted to buy a spiritual weapon because she had seen through his true intentions.
Why not find a better excuse for lying? This phantom mask is one of the most valuable top-grade spiritual weapons.
Even if this poor cultivator were to sell his belongings in pieces, he still wouldn't be able to afford this phantom mask.
Xu Chunniang finally turned cold and looked at the guy with a mocking face.
“Is this how you treat your customers?”
Before the waiter could say anything, the owner, who had heard the noise, came out from the inner room.
He glanced at the waiter and frowned slightly, "What happened? Why did you argue with the customer?"
The waiter behaved very well in front of Xu Chunniang, but he didn't dare to show any unbridled attitude in front of the shop owner who was at the ninth level of Qi training.
He leaned forward and saluted respectfully toward the owner, his words hinting at asking for credit.
"To tell the boss, this woman is just a poor casual cultivator who wanted to steal the phantom mask from our store, but I saw through her plan."
Upon hearing this, the shop owner looked towards Xu Chunniang, only to find that although she had some flaws on her face, her eyes were bright and she did not look like the thief the waiter described her to be.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I don't know the whole story, so I won't comment. If you really want the Phantom Mask, I'll pay you 2,400 Spirit Stones. If you have other ideas, I'm sorry that we can't accommodate you."
This shop owner is not a person who listens to one side of the story.
Xu Chunniang's expression eased slightly, and she took out the spirit stone from her storage bag and threw it on the counter.
"Please count the number. If there is less, I will make up for it."
Two thousand four hundred spirit stones are not a small number. As soon as they appeared, they occupied most of the counter, attracting attention for no reason.
The guy's legs went limp and a look of panic appeared on his face. This female cultivator really took out so many spirit stones.
Then wouldn't the words he said before become slander and false accusations
For a moment, he was confused and didn't know what to do.
A hint of surprise flashed across the shop owner's face. Even he did not expect that this female cultivator at the fifth level of Qi training could take out so many spirit stones in one breath.
After just a cursory glance, he knew that there were exactly 2,400 spirit stones, no more and no less.
He instantly made a judgment in his heart about what happened before.
The owner waved his sleeves, put away the spirit stone, took off the phantom mask, and handed it to Xu Chunniang personally.
"This item is now yours, please keep it. I will give you an explanation for the offense committed by the store clerk."
Xu Chunniang took the phantom mask with satisfaction and put it away. Hearing this, she glanced at the guy's pale face, but did not comment.
Seeing the situation take a sudden turn, the waiter started to panic and sweat profusely. He quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Xu Chunniang.
"My fellow Taoist, I was too arrogant before. I really need this job. I hope you can forgive me."
He felt remorseful in his heart and secretly cursed the female cultivator for being so unreasonable.
Obviously, she was wealthy and bought the priceless phantom mask immediately, but she was reluctant to spend eighty spirit stones to buy a low-grade restoration pill. Her clothes were also very ordinary, which made him mistaken.
Before Xu Chunniang could say anything, the owner's face darkened.
"Xing San, I didn't know you usually behave like this. My temple is small and can't accommodate a big Buddha like you."
The implication was that the guy named Xing San should be fired.
Xing San's face became completely panicked and he gave the shop owner a pleading look.
"Boss, I've been working here for three years. Even if I haven't made any contributions, I've worked hard. You can't kick me out just because of this."
The shop owner's face became even colder. Xing San probably didn't realize the seriousness of the matter at all.
When doing business, harmony is the way to make money. Xing San's actions are undoubtedly bringing him financial ruin and disaster.
If one day, Xing San offended the taboo of a certain foundation-building senior, it is possible that the small shop he had worked so hard to run would be destroyed.
Thinking of this, the shop owner broke out in a cold sweat, and the last bit of kindness in his heart faded away.