The mention of the Ghost-faced Spider immediately sent a stir through the crowd below.
"My god, why would the Sect use such a formidable Spirit Beast?"
"I heard that an adult Ghost-faced Spider is at least at the seventh level of Qi Refining. What are we supposed to do if we run into one head-on?"
"Damn it. My main practice is the Wood Vine Technique, which is countered by its webs. I should have practiced the Fireball Technique more."
Xiao Chen didn't actually know much about the Ghost-faced Spider. After all, he had joined the Outer Sect fairly recently and had been focused on his cultivation.
He made a mental note to head to the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion as soon as he got back to brush up on his general knowledge of the cultivation world.
However, as he listened in, he gathered that the Ghost-faced Spider's strength lay in trapping enemies with its webs, and its greatest weakness was fire.
'If that's the case, then I probably don't have to worry.'
Besides, the Feihong Mountain Range was huge. It wasn't a given that he would even run into a Ghost-faced Spider.
He just needed to slow his pace and be more vigilant.
The disciples of the Second Division weren't set to depart until noon.
After Steward Chen finished his speech, he announced a period of free time for them to think and prepare.
On the outskirts of the Sect's southern assembly point was a large, flat area.
Since yesterday, some clever disciples had started setting up stalls, taking advantage of the large crowd to trade goods and earn a bit of profit from the price difference.
And it worked. Many disciples had "accidentally" used up some Elixirs on their way here and needed to restock, making it a perfect match for both sides.
Xiao Chen hadn't paid it much mind before coming, since he had his Augment.
He also hadn't expected the Sect's trial to be so intense all of a sudden.
Having just heard the bad news from the First Division, he thought it over and decided he should be more cautious. Spirit Stones that needed to be spent should be spent.
So, he also went to the stalls on the outskirts, preparing to find some protective items.
"Flying Fire Talismans made by Li of the Inner Sect! Two Spirit Stones each, only three left!"
As soon as he arrived, he saw a disciple holding three Talismans and shouting his sales pitch.
What was even more ridiculous was that another disciple bought all three Talismans without a moment's hesitation.
Xiao Chen's brow twitched at the sight. Normally, you could buy two Flying Fire Talismans for a single Spirit Stone. This was a four-fold profit.
What was more, even at such prices, all the fire-related Talismans at the stalls had been completely swept clean.
It was clear the news about the Ghost-faced Spider had seriously spooked everyone.
He even saw a few senior brothers from the Inner Sect who had set up small booths a bit farther from the camp, making custom Talismans on the spot.
Long lines were now forming in front of each booth, and the senior brothers' faces were beaming.
Xiao Chen's gaze shifted, and he spotted a few Light Body Talismans at a junior brother's stall.
He strode forward. "How much for these Talismans?"
"One Spirit Stone each. If you want them all, Senior Brother, I'll give you all six for five Spirit Stones."
"Hold on. Back in the Marketplace, you can buy five of these for one Spirit Stone. Isn't this a bit too expensive, Junior Brother?"
"You're mistaken, Senior Brother. If you'd come yesterday, I would have sold them three for a Spirit Stone, just to make a little something for my trouble. But that was then, this is now. The market has shifted."
'Heh, you guys have really mastered this whole price-gouging thing.'
The Li Huo Sect had strict rules. Unlike the Loose Cultivators in the Marketplace, the Sect stipulated that one could only begin learning the Hundred Skills of Cultivation after entering the Inner Sect.
Therefore, if ordinary Outer Disciples hadn't prepared in advance, they had no choice but to endure the high prices.
"Huh? Isn't that Junior Brother Xiao? I happen to have some extra Light Body Talismans. Come with me, Junior Brother. I'll share a few with you."
Just as Xiao Chen was about to take out his Spirit Stones, a familiar voice sounded beside him.
He turned and saw that the speaker was a young Cultivator dressed in a black robe with red patterns and the character for "Chen" embroidered on his chest.
The man was Chen Guangyu, the sixth-level Qi Refining senior brother who had traveled with Xiao Chen a couple of days ago.
On the way here, Xiao Chen had learned that he belonged to the Li Huo Chen Family and was Steward Chen's distant nephew.
So, he put down the Light Body Talismans and followed him to a deserted corner nearby.
Chen Guangyu readily took out six Light Body Talismans. "Before I came, my family helped me prepare a lot of Talismans. Just give me one Spirit Stone, Junior Brother."
Xiao Chen handed over a Spirit Stone and took five of them. "I'm already grateful that you're willing to share them with me at a fair price, Senior Brother. How could I possibly take advantage of you?"
'It was just a precaution, anyway.'
"You have principles, Junior Brother." Chen Guangyu put away the remaining Talisman and changed the subject. "I heard from my uncle that you're a promising talent. I imagine passing this trial should be a sure thing for you."
"I have a small business proposition, and I wonder if you'd be interested, Junior Brother?"
"Oh? Pray tell, Senior Brother. I'm all ears."
"This trial uses Points Jade Tokens to determine the top ten. Although I'm confident I can make it into the top ten, I've been coveting a certain Xuan-level Secret Technique for a long time."
As he spoke, Chen Guangyu held up three fingers. "If you have any extra Points Jade Tokens, Junior Brother, I'll pay three Spirit Stones for every point."
As soon as he said that, Xiao Chen understood.
'The Jade Tokens aren't engraved with names. Whoever turns them in gets the credit.'
'Chen Guangyu is planning to collect Jade Tokens privately to boost his ranking.'
After learning the trial format yesterday, Xiao Chen had pondered the same question: what was more important, the ranking or the rewards?
For each rank higher, an Inner Sect candidate would receive an additional monthly cultivation subsidy of one Spirit Stone on top of the base ten.
Over a year, the difference between first place and tenth place could amount to one hundred and eight Spirit Stones.
But on the other hand, a Yellow-level Technique was also worth over a hundred Spirit Stones, and you got it all at once.
'Considering the bonus for Featherweight contestants, voluntarily giving up on the top three spots is the better choice.'
'I wasn't planning on fighting for the top ranks anyway. In that case, if Chen Guangyu is willing to pay a high price to make up for the loss of a lower rank, there's definitely room for a deal.'
'I just didn't expect him to be so confident in my ability to acquire Jade Tokens.'
'Could he have seen my true strength?'
'Truly outstanding people are like fireflies in the night—so conspicuous.'
Xiao Chen nodded decisively and agreed. "Since you have so much faith in me, Senior Brother, I will naturally do my best."
Chen Guangyu added a warning, "Then it's a deal. Oh, and this is just a little method I came up with on my own. Junior Brother, you mustn't…"
Xiao Chen patted his chest. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. My lips are sealed."
Watching Xiao Chen leave, Chen Guangyu took out a small notebook and put a checkmark next to his name.
"Two more to go. I need to hurry."
In truth, he didn't think Xiao Chen had any ability to compete for the rankings at all, but he figured getting six points wouldn't be too difficult.
It couldn't hurt to talk to him in advance and reserve any extra points.
Although the points from Xiao Chen alone might not be many, every little bit adds up, and the cumulative total would be a significant boost.
More importantly, by making a deal in advance, he could prevent other competitors from buying points and turning the tables on him.
Just then, Xiao Chen suddenly turned back, a serious expression on his face.
Chen Guangyu frowned. 'What's wrong?'
Xiao Chen asked in a low voice, "Chen, I have another question. As for the extra points, how many are you willing to take?"
Chen Guangyu was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and answered without hesitation, "Naturally, I'll take as many as you can get."
"Do you really mean that, Senior Brother? When I show up with the Jade Tokens, you can't refuse to take them."
Xiao Chen pressed, seeing this as a major business opportunity.
"Absolutely. You can rest assured, Junior Brother."
Watching Xiao Chen leave with a look of relief, Chen Guangyu couldn't help but shake his head.
'That's hilarious. A fifth-level Qi Refining junior is actually worried about this.'
'How many points could you possibly get, anyway?'