A Mortal's Supporting Character's Different Kind of Cultivation

Huangfeng Valley Market is located on the northeastern edge of the Taiyue Mountains. The entire market consists of only one street. Dozens of houses of various sizes are built on the south side, all belonging to Huangfeng Valley. The north side is occupied by cultivator families and independent cultivators.

After leaving Huangfeng Valley, Lu Yunfeng changed into a black cloak, completely covering his body. He used the "Demonic Yuan Locking Breath Technique" to suppress his cultivation level to the tenth level of Qi Refining, neither too high nor too low. After a series of crackling sounds, his figure grew much taller, transforming him into a burly man with a face full of scars. To avoid suspicion, Lu Yunfeng did not enter the place from the most convenient south entrance, but instead took a long detour and entered from the north.

There weren't many people in the market. Lu Yunfeng headed towards the largest building in the area—Wanbao Pavilion.

The bright hall of Wanbaoge could easily accommodate dozens of people without feeling crowded. The extra-long counters made of precious red paulownia wood, along with seven or eight servants dressed in blue robes, all gave people an absolutely grand feeling.

There were already quite a few cultivators in the pavilion, and three attendants were explaining something to them.

The bright counter was filled with all sorts of items, all of which looked like things used by cultivators, from basic materials to magical artifacts and talismans.

As soon as Lu Yunfeng stepped inside, a servant dressed in a blue robe came forward and said, "What would you like, sir? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Lu Yunfeng, hidden beneath his cloak, spoke in a hoarse voice, "I want to see some magical artifacts and talismans, but I want the best." The servant in the blue robe was taken aback. He looked at Lu Yunfeng and realized that he wasn't joking. His smile became even more captivating. Knowing that a big customer had arrived, he immediately led Lu Yunfeng to the second floor.

The upstairs furnishings are different from those on the first floor. The area is much smaller, and there are many antique tables and chairs. The room is decorated in an antique style. In the corner of the room, there is an expensive incense burner with incense burning and emitting a sandalwood scent.

A middle-aged man holding a book was reading aloud in the room, looking more like an ordinary scholar than a cultivator.

After whispering a few words in his ear, the servant in the blue robe returned to the first floor. The middle-aged man put away his book and came to Lu Yunfeng. He smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "I am Tian Buli, the manager of Wanbaoge. May I ask how you should address me?"

"Han Li." Lu Yunfeng used Han Li's name without hesitation.

"It's Brother Han! Please have a seat."

"Go, quickly brew a pot of Biyun tea." The middle-aged man led Lu Yunfeng to sit down and instructed the servant.

"No need, shopkeeper. Let's take care of business first," Lu Yunfeng said impatiently.

"I didn't expect you to be so impatient, fellow Daoist. Alright, please wait a moment, I'll be right back." With that, the middle-aged man stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Lu Yunfeng, and left his seat to go downstairs.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the middle-aged man reappeared in front of Lu Yunfeng, carrying several wooden boxes in his hands.

The wooden box was opened, and the first item inside was a small red flag about the size of a palm. The flag was made of an unknown fabric and embroidered with an unknown pattern in gold thread. As soon as it appeared, the surrounding temperature rose considerably, and there was a faint sound of wind whistling by.

"This is the Wind and Fire Banner, a top-tier magical artifact." The middle-aged man introduced, "This was crafted by the master craftsman of this building by collecting the fiery energy from underground and adding four-hundred-year-old willow wood. Wind-type runes were engraved on it. After activation, it can freely unleash low-level fire and wind spells. The combined power of wind and fire greatly increases its power. It is a pure offensive magical artifact."

Lu Yunfeng narrowed his eyes, stared at the small flag for a moment, and felt the surging wind and fire power within it, feeling very satisfied.

Since he himself possessed a mutated wind spirit root, the power of this wind and fire flag was amplified.

The second item was a bead the size of an apricot, entirely azure and translucent white, its surface shrouded in a dense, white, chilling aura, causing tiny ice crystals to condense around it.

"This item is called the Ice Soul Pearl, a top-tier defensive magic artifact." The middle-aged man pointed to the Ice Pearl and said, "It was made from the core of the Xuanbing layer and was polished and refined. Master Ouyang personally engraved forty-eight icy defensive runes on it."

Once activated, it can form an icy storm shield around the cultivator, providing not only formidable defense but also releasing astonishing cold energy that can halt or freeze approaching spells and magical artifacts, truly a powerful protective tool.

Lu Yunfeng nodded. The defensive capabilities of this Ice Soul Pearl were exactly what he lacked, and the accompanying chill was even more formidable.

The last item was not a magical artifact, but a glittering golden talisman that resembled neither paper nor cloth.

On the talisman, an ancient long spear pattern was outlined with some kind of dark golden blood. The spear was so lifelike that it seemed as if it would break out of the talisman at any moment, and an ancient and sharp aura wafted over.

"A talisman?" Lu Yunfeng frowned. He knew about talismans, of course. They were consumable items that cultivators above the Core Formation stage extracted the inherent power of their natal magic weapon and sealed it in a specially made talisman. Their power far exceeded that of any top-tier magic weapon and they were the biggest trump card held by Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Han has a good eye." The middle-aged man was somewhat surprised, but then he recovered. "This talisman is the treasure of the Li family more than a hundred years ago, the Earth-Severing Halberd Talisman. Due to its decline, it changed hands several times before our establishment finally acquired it."

"This treasure is too powerful. The Li family fell into decline before they could use it. After changing hands several times, it still retains most of its power and can be used at least three more times. Each activation is comparable to a casual strike from a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator. This is a life-saving weapon in critical moments."

Equivalent to a casual strike from a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, Lu Yunfeng was shaken. The value of this item was probably immeasurable. He frowned and pondered for a moment before asking, "Manager Tian, ​​I wonder what the value of these three treasures is?"

The middle-aged man's smile remained unchanged as he announced the prices: "Wind and Fire Banner, 1,100 low-grade spirit stones. Ice Soul Pearl, 1,300 low-grade spirit stones. As for this Earth-Severing Halberd..." The middle-aged man paused for a moment, "This item is precious, and the price set by this establishment is 1,600 low-grade spirit stones. The three items together total 4,000 low-grade spirit stones."

Although he was prepared, Lu Yunfeng was still taken aback by the price of six thousand low-grade spirit stones. This price was enough to bankrupt an average late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Lu Yunfeng's expression remained unchanged as he shook his head. "The price is too high, especially for this talisman. It is powerful, but it has changed hands several times, has strict usage conditions, and is a consumable item that can only be used three times. 1,600 low-grade spirit stones is far too expensive. I am genuinely interested in purchasing it. Manager Tian, ​​could you please give me a fair price?"

Shopkeeper Tian smiled, not annoyed at all; business is about give and take. He and Lu Yunfeng engaged in a heated debate, haggling over the price.

Lu Yunfeng's words were sharp and his angles were ingenious, pointing out the limitations of magical artifacts and talismans. His words were neither humble nor arrogant. Shopkeeper Tian was eloquent and argued his case logically, but Lu Yunfeng was not someone to be trifled with.

Finally, the price tug-of-war reached 900 low-grade spirit stones for the Wind and Fire Banner, 1,000 low-grade spirit stones for the Ice Soul Pearl, and 1,100 low-grade spirit stones for the Earth-Severing Halberd, totaling 3,000 low-grade spirit stones.

The price was still astronomical. Lu Yunfeng was silent for a moment before speaking, "Spirit stones, I don't have that many on me."

Shopkeeper Tian remained expressionless, awaiting further explanation. Lu Yunfeng spoke, "I don't have enough spirit stones, but I'm willing to offer this as payment."

As he spoke, he flipped his hand, and a jade box appeared on the table. Manager Tian opened it and said, "Hmm, Fellow Daoist Han wants to exchange this Golden Marrow Mushroom for the treasures of this establishment. I'm afraid that won't work."

Lu Yunfeng chuckled coldly a few times, then remained silent, mimicking the middle-aged man's earlier practice of quietly sipping his tea.

Seeing Lu Yunfeng's confidence, the middle-aged man looked suspicious. Upon closer inspection, he gasped, "Wow!" "This is a thousand-year-old spiritual herb!" Manager Tian was incredulous and immediately realized his lapse in composure. "Ahem, someone, bring Elder Ding here." A servant left immediately. The two began chatting tacitly, avoiding any mention of the spiritual herb.