I have to get lucky right away.

Chapter 533 Exchange is not important, circulation is.
"Why is there so much less?"

The Righteous Path Alliance, Xizhou Branch, Elder Duzhi frowned as he looked at this month's ledger. Last month's spirit stone transaction volume had declined somewhat. At the time, he thought it was because the appearance of extraterrestrial demons in Xizhou had caused cultivators to flee. But now, this number is beyond the explanation of cultivators fleeing. Surely, seventy percent of the rogue cultivators in Xizhou have fled?
In fact, Elder Duzhi didn't value the resources used to exchange for spirit stones very much, or rather, the entire Righteous Alliance didn't value them very much.

Ultimately, the resources that independent cultivators actively offer to exchange for spirit stones are mostly common items with stable prices. Which sect can't produce them consistently?
As a high-ranking member of the Righteous Path Alliance, he naturally understood that the essence of spirit stone exchange was always control over rogue cultivators.

As long as independent cultivators need spirit stones, they will become more useful tools than outer disciples and menial disciples. There is no need to worry about their food, clothing, or daily necessities, whether there is redundancy within the sect, or even about casualties.

This also led to the gradual abolition of the outer disciples and miscellaneous disciples system by major sects after the emergence of the spirit stone system, and the beginning of the elite route.

As for the chores that need to be done by the servant disciples and outer disciples, they can be easily commanded by simply throwing out some spirit stones, which are no different from stones to the members of the Righteous Path Alliance.

When necessary, by using excuses such as "spirit stone mines are in short supply" or "demonic cultivators are robbing spirit stone mines," the normal exchange of spirit stones can be reduced, forcing rogue cultivators to accept extremely risky bounty missions.

However, if the number of spirit stones that independent cultivators can exchange decreases, it means that their demand for spirit stones will decrease, and that is the real issue!
Seeing the elder's serious expression, the deacon assumed it was because this month's subsidy might be reduced, and his face also showed indignation as he said:
"According to statistics from the various market shops operated by different factions, the transaction volume this month has dropped significantly, and the number of cultivators visiting the markets has also declined significantly. Many markets have not seen a single customer for half a month."

"What?" Elder Duzhi frowned. He knew very well what this situation meant, but seeing the deacon trembling from the unconscious release of his magical power, he toned down his imposing manner and asked in a still serious tone:
"Has anything unusual happened recently, such as large-scale casualties among independent cultivators, or the appearance of ancient ruins?"

"No." The deacon shook his head firmly.

"After receiving the ledger, I contacted the relevant departments in several surrounding states using a communication talisman. Although the decline was not as large as ours, there were signs of a downward trend. It shouldn't be a case of cultivators fleeing or being attracted by the ruins. As for the casualties, it's impossible to hide something of this scale."

"..." Elder Duzhi paced back and forth, realizing that he had lost his composure, but the spirit stones he had exchanged were only 30% of the usual amount... Could it be that all those rogue cultivators had reached the Nascent Soul stage?

"or……"

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Elder Duzhi's mind, making his already serious expression even colder. He, who had been about to order the steward to do something, suddenly shut his mouth, shook his head, and said:

"I understand about this. Have someone investigate the specifics first."

"Yes!" The steward knew the elder was dismissing him, so he immediately picked up the documents and quickly left the room. The elder, Duzhi, drew a talisman in the air, creating a barrier that enveloped the room, and then activated a crystal-clear jade talisman...

Accompanied by a glow that rose and fell like breath, the jade talisman suddenly trembled slightly, and then a voice resounded in Elder Duzhi's mind:
"what's up?"

"Alliance Leader, a substitute for spirit stones may have appeared in Xizhou!"

Elder Duzhi didn't waste any words and directly stated his speculation.

Upon hearing this, silence fell instantly on the other side of the jade talisman. After about three breaths, the voice resumed:

"sure?"

"It's not certain yet, but last month's spirit stone exchange limit was only 30% of the usual amount." Elder Duzhi quickly provided the relevant data. Upon hearing this, the other party immediately said, "This drop is indeed somewhat abnormal. Send someone to investigate first, but don't do anything too drastic. It's best to make it look like you're searching for a missing cultivator. I'll transfer a search team from Tianwu Hall over there, and you can provide support."

"Understood!" Elder Duzhi nodded subconsciously, even though he knew that the transmission talisman only allowed for sound.

However, the person on the other end of the jade talisman did not give him a reply. After hearing his response, they hung up the communication.

Although he received a reply, Elder Duzhi couldn't calm down. He paced back and forth, and suddenly an idea came to him. He immediately used telepathy to call back the steward who had just left.

"Elder Duzhi!"

"Hmm," Elder Duzhi responded, and then said:

"The investigation I mentioned earlier..."

Upon hearing this, the deacon's face darkened immediately. Less than a quarter of an hour had passed since he left the office, and he was already asking this question? He hadn't even had time to send anyone yet!
Fortunately, the Elder Duzhi's words the next moment relieved him, as he dared not argue back at that moment.

"Don't make a big fuss. It's best to make it look like you're searching for missing cultivators. As for clues... isn't there still 30% of the spirit stones left to exchange? Go check what those remaining 30% are made of, why they're still exchanging spirit stones, and while you're at it, also check if there are any cultivators who know them but haven't exchanged spirit stones!"

"Okay, I'll do it right away." Receiving a clear instruction, the deacon felt a little more at ease. If he was asked to investigate without any prior notice, it would definitely be a scapegoat situation. If he didn't find anything, he would be in trouble; if he did find something, he would have to bear the risk himself.

Now that he had a clear direction for the investigation, he was just doing the job. Whether it succeeded or failed, someone else would take the blame. His original idea of ​​just getting by was instantly abandoned. He mobilized the people under his command and began to select the right people to do this job...

……

Outside Tianshui Town in Xizhou, in several adjacent fields, Lin Feng was using his divine sense to clear away pests. The conditions for planting the spiritual herbs required for the Bigu Pill were not demanding. With the help of the Ganlin Mantra, he had harvested three crops and opened six furnaces in the past month and a half. Even if he cultivated the Ziwei Nourishing Spirit Technique, the Bigu Pill he refined could sustain him for half a year.

At this moment, he was pondering whether, after this harvest, he should rotate crops and plant some nourishing herbs...

"Brother Lin, your spirit field is growing very well!"

Just as Lin Feng was pondering, a voice came from not far away. Lin Feng adjusted his straw hat, and although he was somewhat wary, he still responded:
"Before I started cultivating, I came from a farming family. Now I'm just going back to my old profession. I'm hoping to exchange these medicinal herbs for some spirit stones. I don't want to improve my cultivation. I just want to make up for the consumption of the Sweet Rain Curse."

The cultivator who had spoken simply smiled upon hearing this:
"That's what I think too, to be honest..."

He suddenly raised an eyebrow, glanced at a cultivator flying in from not far away, and smiled:

"Looks like we're going to have another neighbor!"

(End of this chapter)