The morning sun had climbed high when Lin Yuanfeng arrived at the Jin Shang Hall. His hands were still dusted with the faint earthiness of the farmland, but his steps were light and steady, as though each carried the weight of determination rather than fatigue.
After spending the better part of the day arranging his new home and purchasing necessities, his pouch was noticeably lighter after purchasing the information and seeds, he had left with only fifty low-grade spirit stones left in his storage pouch.
More than eighty percent of his hard-earned spirit stones had vanished in a single day.
As long as we can live in peace it worth it, , stones can always be earned again.
He approached the Jin Shang hall with the thought of selling bear paws and the core from the bear he had slain in the cave, to replenish his spirit stones
The streets of Qing Shui Town were lively, cultivators and mortals mingling, carts rattling past, vendors calling out their wares.
Yuanfeng adjusted his robe and reached towards the gold-embellished entrance of Jin Shang Hall, the most reputable merchant group in the district.
Its grandeur always impressed him—the polished wood, jade plaques, and the faint aura of authority surrounding the hall. Guards in plain dark uniforms barely glanced at him, dismissing him as a countryside youth. Yuanfeng remained calm, adjusted his steps, keeping a composed gait, an he entered
Inside, the air was heavy with sandalwood and medicinal herbs. Lin Yuanfeng kept his movements measured, stepping past the marble floor and ornate racks of jars, each filled with spirit herbs, cores, and artifacts, until he arrived at the counter where he found Miss Song, elegant and poised, greeted him with a bow.
"Welcome, Young Master Lin," she said, voice gentle. "How may I assist you today?"
He also returned the greeting and calmly said "Miss Song, I want to sell some Yao beast parts and a core"
"Young Master Lin, please follow me."
He inclined his head and followed her to a private dealing room. Once seated, he took out the bear paws and core and put them on the table in front of him.
"I wish to sell these—one Tier-1 mid-tier Iron Paw Bear beast core and its beast paws."
Miss Song's sharp eyes scanned the items carefully. "Excellent quality. Jin Shang Hall can offer 180 low grade spirit stones for the core and 200 for the paws together. Total 380 low-grade spirit stones."
"Do you accept this price fair?"
"Accepted." Yuanfeng nodded.
She swiftly recorded the items in a ledger and store them in her Storage pouch.
She handled the things efficiently "Young master Lin, do you want to purchase anything or should we complete the transaction"
He straightened slightly. "Yes, I have something I want to purchase… do you have Tier-1 spirit rice seeds for sale?"
Miss Song smiled faintly " Yong master please wait" gesturing to the nearby attendant to bring the items. The attendant brought three varieties on a tray they were laid out neatly, each emanating a faint aura. Yuanfeng's eyes swept over them.
Before leaving he whispered something to her, after a moment she nodded to him.
He bowed and left
She regains her composure, smiles faintly and says
"Young master Lin, We have these three varieties. For Tier-1 Spirit Rice seeds , the price starts at twenty low spirit stones per kilo."
After selecting one he said, "I'll take 5 kilograms of this variety".
She nodded and noted it down. "Tier-1 rice seeds are rare. The price per kilogram is 40 stones. 5 kilograms will be 200 stones. Do you want me to pack them Young master?"
Yuanfeng's mind registered this quietly. As expected… Tier-1 spirit rice is far too precious than normal Jade spirit rice .
He nods, cleared his throat and leaned front before speaking cautiously. "Miss Song, I am asking casually. I currently rent a property from Jin Shang hall and I wonder if it can be sold."
Miss Song's eyes flickered with curiosity. "Yes, it can be sold. The selling price for the property you rented is 6,250 low-grade stones."
He nodded thoughtfully. That's higher than I expected… but fair.
Just then, the door opened. Two figures entered. One was an elderly man, radiating a faint pressure giving Yuanfeng feeling of danger. The other, a young man with sharp phoenix eyes, exuded the energy of a peak Qi-stage cultivator, maybe few years older than him.
Miss Song immediately stood up, bowed to them respectfully. "Elder Zhou, Young Master Jin."
Lin Yuanfeng also stands up and bows "Greeting seniors"
The elder bowed slightly to Yuanfeng. "Young friend, forgive our intrusion. We need to know some information from you."
The young man surnamed Jin gaze narrowed on Yuanfeng. "Miss Song, is this him?"
She nodded. "Yes, Young master Jin. This is the young man I have told you previously about."
Yuanfeng feeling left out looks at Miss Song to explain
The younger cultivator stepped forward, voice calm. "I am Jin Qingchen, inner disciple of Spirit Sword Sect. May I know your name?"
"Lin Yuanfeng, Senior" he cupped his fists and replied.
Elder Zhou's asked "You previously sold a storage pouch here. It belonged to an outer disciple of Spirit Sword Sect. How did it come into your possession?"
Yuanfeng's heartbeat remained steady. So this is unavoidable. He clasped his fists respectfully.
"I will speak truthfully. My parents were attacked in our farm land by a beast and were gravely injured. I bought medicine from the Qing Shui town using our family savings but was robbed while returning to my home . Left with nothing, I entered the Outer-forest region to find some medicine herbs to sell. There, I encountered a raging iron paw bear.....
he explained how he made the bear fall into the pit and finding the storage pouches inside the cave and also how he dealt with that Yao beast using the talisman he found in one of the pouch...how he sold the herb and pouch at their Jinshang hall
He also recounted today's transaction to them, and calmly said
"You can ask Miss Song to can confirm my account."
Both of them looked towards Miss Song who inclined her head. "Everything he said is true."
Silence fell. Elder Zhou studied Yuanfeng, noting his calm composure, steady gaze, and measured tone.
"Did you find anything else?" he asked quietly.
"I have spoken everything," Yuanfeng replied evenly. "You may send people to the site—you will find traces of the talisman, scent-concealing liquid, and the bear remains."
Jin Qingchen gave a subtle nod.
He isn't lying.
After a pause, Elder Zhou spoke again. "Before our intrusion he was inquiring you about some land? Miss Song, care to explain?"
"He wanted to know the selling price for the property he rented earlier from our Jin Shang Hall… full cost: 6,250 low-grade stones," she answered.
The elder stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Young master Lin, you were inconvenienced and questioned by of us. As a token of apology, We will offer a forty percent discount. Final price: 3,750 stones. Payment can be made in installments over three years. If you cannot finish, deduct the rent and refund the remainder."
Yuanfeng's eyes flickered. More than I expected…
Before he could respond
Jin Qingchen stepped forward. "No installments are needed. I will pay the full amount. Miss Song, transfer the deed to him."
Yuanfeng inclined his head respectfully bowed
"Thankyou Young Master Jin for your kindness"
Jin Qingchen's eyes glimmered shook his head slightly. "If you had sold the storage pouch elsewhere, you could have made over 5,000 stones. Instead, you brought it here and followed proper procedure. This is fair."
Elder Zhou nodded in approval and said to miss song
"Ensure all is handled properly."
Miss Song hurried to process the deed while the two gave Yuanfeng a final glance and departed.
Miss song returned with a land deed and a bronze token
"Congratulations! Young master Lin "
Gave him the items,
"Miss song does your Jin shang hall handle interior and pond construction"
"Yes Young master Lin, tell me your requirements" she asked.
He nodded. " I want one large pond, thirty square meters, with a pavilion in the center with a bridge connecting to it and a small three-square-meter pond beside it. Please help me calculate the cost and duration first"
She tapped her abacus. "Material and labor: **60 low-grade stones. Completion: three days."
Yuanfeng nodded "Proceed with the construction"
"After removing the construction cost-60 stones and seeds-200 stones purchase from earlier 380 stones here is your 120 low grade spirit stones"
She handed him a 100 low grade spirit stones and rice seeds
bowed respectfully
"Thankyou for your purchase Young master Lin"
After collecting the goods, Yuanfeng cupped his fists to Miss Song and left the Jin shang hall and went along the market road
Yuanfeng allowed himself a faint exhale. That was… dangerous, but at least it ended well.
High in the top floor of Jin Shang Hall, Jin Qingchen and Elder Zhou watched him leave.
From the shadows, a figure knelt silently. "Reporting. Everything the young man said is true. Traces of the sword talisman, scent-concealing liquid, and the iron-paw bear remains were confirmed."
Elder Zhou nodded his head.in approval "A good seed… risking his life in the forest for his parents even after being robbed. His determination is commendable."
Jin Qingchen's gaze remained unwavering, though a faint respect flickered in it.
But the next moment it was replaced sharp killing intent "Someone is plotting against my Jin family. The disciple I sent to deliver resources is dead mysteriously."
His gaze sharpened. "There are also rumours about our ancestors injury spreading. Elder Zhou, investigate the source. Once found… our Jin family will reward you greatly."
He turned and left, leaving Elder Zhou with a heavy sigh. "Its seems… turmoil has begun in Qing Shui Town."
Below, Yuanfeng disappeared into the crowded streets unaware of the silent eyes that watched him. Each step carried him forward, carrying the weight of his family, their land, and the unknown challenges ahead.