Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 155 Purchase the cultivation technique and hasten your departure
"Brother Chen Ye, we meet again." Xiao Hongye stood up, his smile very friendly. "I hope you won't mind that I came uninvited."

"How could that be?" Chen Ye forced a smile. "I'm just a little surprised. I wonder what business Miss Xiao has with me?"

As he spoke, his gaze seemingly casually swept over the woman beside him.

Although she tried her best to conceal her aura, Chen Ye's Asura Eye could still vaguely see the vast, yet refined, aura within her.

Moreover, the subtle yet sharp aura she exuded was exactly the same as that of the disciples of Tianjian Manor.

Chen Ye was almost certain that this woman was from Tianjian Manor, and that her status was definitely not low.

Damn it, trouble's come knocking.

Chen Ye cursed inwardly, but his face remained expressionless, and he even appeared quite enthusiastic.

"It's nothing serious. I was just passing through Qingzhou Prefecture and heard you were here, so I came to visit an old friend." Xiao Hongye said, pulling the woman next to her to introduce her, "By the way, let me introduce you. This is my sister, Xiao Zhanbai."

Chen Ye's heart skipped a beat.

He'd heard plenty of people talking about Xiao Zhanbai these past few days.

An elite disciple of the Enforcement Hall of Tianjian Manor, one of the leaders of this city-wide search, a woman known for her ruthlessness and power.

I never imagined she was Xiao Hongye's sister!
Countless thoughts flashed through Chen Ye's mind, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply gave Xiao Zhanbai a perfunctory bow.

"So you are Miss Xiao, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Xiao Zhanbai nodded slightly in response, while his cold eyes scrutinized him from head to toe, as if trying to see through him completely.

Being scrutinized like that would make anyone uncomfortable, but Chen Ye stood there nonchalantly, seemingly oblivious to it all.

"Chen Ye, I heard from my sister that you have a grudge against the disciples of White Bone Mountain?"

Her voice was calm, as if she were asking about something trivial, but Chen Ye felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the real topic was coming up.

He raised his head to meet Xiao Zhanbai's scrutinizing gaze, a look of reminiscence on his face, and then nodded.

"It's true."

He didn't deny it, because there was no need to deny it; it would be easy to find out if you investigated.

"Back when I was on a mission with your sister, this Lü Song was arrogant and domineering. He tried to attack me, but I cut off a lock of his hair as a lesson."

"And then?" Xiao Zhanbai pressed.

"And then?" Chen Ye smiled and spread his hands. "Later, he brought two senior brothers to Fengmanlou to cause me trouble, but before they could fight, they were spotted by Lord Cong Bocong of the Demon Slaying Division of Yuhuo County."

"Lu Song's senior brother was captured on the spot by Lord Cong for using an evil weapon and imprisoned in the Demon Slaying Division's jail. As for Lu Song, he was also reprimanded by Lord Cong and ran away in a sorry state."

"I haven't seen him since then."

Chen Ye's words were half true and half false.

His conflict with Lü Song was real, and Cong Bo's intervention was also real, but Lü Song's final fate was glossed over in a lighthearted manner.

Anyway, Lü Song is already dead, and there's no way to verify his story, so he can say whatever he wants.

Xiao Zhanbai frowned slightly after hearing this.

Chen Ye's answer was flawless and there was absolutely no fault in it.

Fighting on the spot at the slightest disagreement is perfectly normal in the martial arts world.

However, Xiao Zhanbai hadn't expected to get any earth-shattering information from Chen Ye. He only came to ask because his sister mentioned that Chen Ye had a past grudge against White Bone Mountain, and he was determined not to let go of any clue.

Looking back now, I realize I was just overthinking things.

"Sister, let's go." Xiao Zhanbai stood up and said to Xiao Hongye.

"Hey, what's the rush? We just got here." Xiao Hongye grabbed her arm, gave her a reproachful glare, and then said to Chen Ye apologetically, "Brother Chen Ye, don't mind her. My sister just has this bad temper. She always has a long face, but actually she's a nice person."

She wanted to say that the person was very nice, but looking at her younger sister's icy face, she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

"It's nothing." Chen Ye smiled, looking completely unconcerned.

"But you, young man, have truly impressed me!" Xiao Hongye looked Chen Ye up and down, clicking her tongue in amazement. "I remember when I saw you in Yuhuo County, you were only at the Qi Nourishing Realm, right? How long has it been, and you've already reached the Unimpeded Realm! Your cultivation speed is truly astonishing!"

"Sister Xiao, you're too kind. I just got lucky and broke through by chance," Chen Ye said modestly.

His composed and calm demeanor, neither humble nor arrogant, made Xiao Hongye admire him more and more.

They chatted for a few more minutes, mostly with Xiao Hongye asking questions and Chen Ye answering, while Xiao Zhanbai stood there like a wooden figure.

Seeing that she couldn't get any more information out of her, Xiao Hongye pulled her sister to her feet.

"Alright, Brother Chen, we won't disturb your rest any longer. We'll meet again someday."

"Sister Xiao, Miss Xiao, please take care."

Chen Ye got up to see them off, escorting them all the way to the entrance of the inn.

As he watched the sisters' figures disappear around the street corner, Chen Ye's smile slowly faded, and his eyes became deep and thoughtful.

Although the two sisters showed no suspicion, he became even more anxious.

Being targeted by the Enforcement Hall of Tianjian Manor is definitely not a good thing.

It seems I can no longer stay in Qingzhou Prefecture.

We must leave as soon as possible!

However, before leaving, I need to convert all the money in my hands into real strength.

Thinking of this, Chen Ye turned around and went back to his room, locking the door tightly.

He poured all the money he had earned in the past few days, along with his initial investment, onto the table.

Silver notes, gold leaves, and scattered pieces of silver were piled up into a small mountain.

The total amount was 3,827 taels of silver.

This amount of money was an astronomical sum for him in the past.

But Chen Ye knew very well that this amount of money was nothing compared to true cultivation.

Putting aside everything else, a cultivation technique that can be practiced to the Inner Realm would probably cost tens of thousands of taels of silver, or even be priceless.

With the little money I have now, I can only buy some pills and a cultivation technique suitable for those in the Sea Condensation Realm.

Therefore, we need to be careful with our money.

Chen Ye took a deep breath, carefully put the money away, and a resolute look flashed in his eyes.

Tomorrow I'll go to the trade fair, spend all my money, and then leave this place of trouble!

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Chen Ye left the inn.

Su Yuan was still fast asleep, so Chen Ye didn't wake her.

There were already a few pedestrians on the streets of Qingzhou Prefecture, most of them cultivators like him, hurrying to the trade fair's booth area to try their luck.

Chen Ye didn't go to the stall area, but went straight to the magnificent pavilion in the city center.

That's the core area of ​​the entire trade fair.

Compared to the chaotic stalls outside, the things sold in the attic are the real gems.

Of course, the price is also incomparable to the goods sold at street stalls.

Entering the pavilion requires a ticket costing ten taels of silver, which directly deterred more than 90% of the independent cultivators.

Chen Ye paid the money, received a wooden sign, and went inside without any problems.

The attic was extremely spacious and divided into several areas, each selling pills, magical artifacts, cultivation techniques, materials, and more—a dazzling array of goods.

The cultivators coming and going all exuded a calm aura, with the lowest cultivation level being the Unobstructed Realm, and there were even several experts at the Sea Condensation Realm.

Chen Ye didn't wander around aimlessly; his goal was clear.

First, the techniques.

Although the Golden Toad Absorption Technique he is currently practicing is quite effective, it is ultimately just a basic technique, and at most it can only support him to cultivate to the peak of the Unobstructed Realm.

Once you break through to the Sea Condensation Realm and your inner energy transforms into true essence, using this technique again will become extremely inefficient.

Therefore, he must find a follow-up cultivation method before breaking through.

Chen Ye went straight to the cultivation technique area.

The cultivation techniques jade slips here are all shrouded in a faint light screen, with simple introductions on the side.

"The Fiery Technique, a fire-attribute martial art. When mastered, it can condense fiery true essence, capable of scorching rivers and boiling seas. Price: 3,000 taels of silver."

"The Mysterious Water Technique, a water-attribute cultivation method, possesses abundant and inexhaustible true essence. Price: 3,200 taels of silver."

"Thick Earth Technique, an earth-attribute technique, primarily focused on defense, making one as stable as Mount Tai. Price: 2,800 taels of silver."

……

As Chen Ye looked around, his heart ached.

too expensive!
These are just the most ordinary, common goods, with simple attributes and no special features, yet they still cost around three thousand taels.

He only had a little over 3,800 taels of silver in total. If he bought a cultivation manual, he wouldn't have much money left.

"Damn it, cultivation really is expensive," Chen Ye cursed inwardly, but patiently continued reading.

He hoped to find a cost-effective book, preferably one that was directly related to the Golden Toad Swallowing Qi Technique and could be perfectly integrated with it, thus saving him a lot of trouble. The core of the Golden Toad Swallowing Qi Technique was to swallow the moon's essence at night and consume the purple clouds in the morning, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon.

Therefore, what he is looking for should be a Qi cultivation method related to the sun, moon, and stars.

After searching for a while, Chen Ye's gaze was finally drawn to a seemingly ordinary jade slip in the corner.

The description next to the jade slip was very simple.

"The Star River Qi Refining Technique can draw upon the power of stars to refine true essence. It has a high threshold for cultivation and requires a strong soul to practice. Price: 1,500 taels of silver."

Because of the high barrier to entry, the price is very cheap, which is just right for Chen Ye.

Moreover, the characteristic of this technique invoking the power of stars perfectly matches his Golden Toad Absorption Technique, which absorbs the essence of the sun and moon.

That's it!

Without further hesitation, Chen Ye called over a waiter, paid 1,500 taels of silver, and bought the jade slip containing the Star River Qi Refining Technique.

Then they rushed to the medicine area.

The elixirs here are incredibly diverse, dazzling the eyes.

"Qi Gathering Pill, used to aid cultivation and increase internal energy, 100 taels per bottle, 10 pills."

"Qi and Blood Pill, a holy medicine for replenishing qi and blood and healing injuries, two hundred taels per bottle, five pills."

"The Condensing Essence Pill helps cultivators in the Unobstructed Realm to condense their true essence, increasing their chances of breaking through to the Sea Condensation Realm. One thousand taels per pill!"

Upon seeing the price of the Condensing Essence Pill, Chen Ye's eyelids twitched again.

One pill costs a thousand taels!

I only have enough money left to buy two.

But this thing is indeed a good product.

Although he had a feeling that it wouldn't be long before he broke through to the Sea Condensation Realm, having pills to help him would make things more secure.

"Give me a Qi Condensation Pill," Chen Ye said through gritted teeth.

A thousand taels of silver just vanished like that.

He used the remaining money to buy Qi Gathering Pills and Qi and Blood Pills.

Qi and Blood Pills are for saving lives, while Qi Gathering Pills are consumables for daily cultivation.

After buying the pills, Chen Ye only had a few hundred taels left.

Money goes by so fast!

Chen Ye sighed inwardly and then strolled around the magical artifacts and materials sections.

His Jingzhe Blade, nurtured by the art of blade cultivation, has acquired a trace of spirituality, making it far superior to ordinary iron weapons.

However, the material is ultimately limited, and to take it to the next level, some precious materials need to be added and it needs to be reforged.

Chen Ye took a liking to a piece of Xuan Yin Iron, an iron ore that naturally contains yin and cold power, which is a good match for his sword energy attribute.

If it could be incorporated into the Jingzhe Blade, it would definitely elevate the blade's power to another level.

But even a small piece of this thing costs eight hundred taels of silver.

Chen Ye hesitated for a long time, but finally gave up.

Because we don't have enough money.

He needs to keep the rest of the money for emergencies; he can't spend it all.

Moreover, he currently has no way to find a skilled weapon refiner to help him forge a sword.

"Forget it, let's talk about it later."

Chen Ye sighed and left the attic.

After the trip, of the more than 3,800 taels of silver, only a few hundred taels remained.

Although it hurt a little to spend the money, Chen Ye felt very at ease looking at the newly bought cultivation techniques and pills in his storage bag.

Money is just an external thing; only one's own strength is the most reliable.

Back at the inn, Su Yuan was already awake, sitting at the table, idly swinging her legs.

Her eyes lit up when she saw Chen Ye return.

"Chen Ye, where did you run off to? I thought you abandoned me and ran away!" she pouted, somewhat dissatisfied.

"I went to take care of some things," Chen Ye replied casually, then handed her a candied hawthorn.

"Hmm?" Su Yuan was a little puzzled.

"I saw some for sale on the way, so I bought one for you as a parting gift," Chen Ye said.

"A parting gift?" Su Yuan was taken aback. "You're leaving?"

"Yes." Chen Ye nodded. "Qingzhou City is not a place to stay for long. I plan to leave today."

"So fast?" Su Yuan's round face was filled with surprise and reluctance.

Although she had long known that Chen Ye couldn't stay in Qingzhou City forever, and that their temporary team would eventually break up, she never expected this day to come so suddenly.

"All good things must come to an end." Chen Ye said calmly. "We were never meant to be together. We met by chance, and it's time for us to go our separate ways."

Su Yuan lowered her head, holding the candied hawthorn, feeling a little sad.

These days, she's been busy setting up a stall with Chen Ye and Yun Heqing, but she feels very happy and fulfilled.

The feeling of selling things through her own abilities and watching the money flow into her pocket was something she had never experienced in the Gu Saint Sect.

"Then...where are you going?" Su Yuan asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible anticipation.

"I haven't decided yet. I'll just wander around and see what's around me," Chen Ye shook his head.

He really hasn't decided where to go next.

Yuhuo County is not an option for now; it's too small and too conspicuous.

He planned to find a remote town to settle down, learn the basics of the newly purchased Star River Qi Refining Technique, and then break through to the Sea Condensation Realm in one go.

Once we have enough strength, we can consider other things.

Upon hearing this answer, the light in Su Yuan's eyes dimmed, and she responded softly.

"Oh."

Looking at her like that, Chen Ye felt a strange sensation in his heart, which was quite unusual.

To be honest, after spending these days together, his impression of this girl from the Gu Saint Sect has changed quite a bit.

Although Su Yuan is sometimes willful and capricious, and acts somewhat eccentrically, she is not inherently bad.

She was like a blank sheet of paper. Because she grew up in the Gu Saint Sect, a place where the strong preyed on the weak and people were treacherous, she developed the habit of protecting herself with thorns all over her body.

But in reality, she craves recognition and companionship from others more than anyone else.

This can be seen from her subtle dependence on herself.

"Alright, stop looking so gloomy." Chen Ye sighed and tapped the table. "The world is a long road, we'll meet again someday. Who knows, we might run into each other again somewhere else."

These were just casual words of comfort.

The world is so vast, and there are so many cultivators; this farewell today may be our last.

Su Yuan looked up. "Then... then where should I look for you if I want to find you in the future?"

Chen Ye thought for a moment and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, I should go back to Yuhuo County every year around the time of Qingming Festival."

After all, he was reborn there, and he had a special feeling for that small county town. Moreover, Cong Bo of the Demon Slayer Division had been kind to him, so he should go back and visit, both morally and logically.

Upon hearing this, Su Yuan's eyes lit up.

"Okay! I'll remember that! Yu Huo County, right? I'll go there to find you when I want to visit you!" Su Yuan smiled again, then took out a small and exquisite sachet from her bosom and handed it to Chen Ye.

The sachet is light blue, with a lifelike butterfly embroidered on it in silver thread, and it emits a faint fragrance.

"This is for you," Su Yuan said.

"This is a specialty of our hometown, made with many kinds of herbs. Wearing it can not only repel mosquitoes, but also ward off some common miasma and evil spirits. It will be useful to you."

Chen Ye took the sachet and felt its smooth texture. The fragrance wafted into his nose, instantly invigorating him.

"Thank you." Chen Ye tied the sachet around his waist.

"I'm leaving."

Parting is always sad, and the longer it drags on, the more trouble it becomes.

Therefore, Chen Ye picked up his long sword, slung a simple bag over his shoulder, and turned to leave.

Looking at his retreating figure, Su Yuan suddenly understood the meaning of the saying "Heroes and women of the martial world grow old together."

She then sighed, took a bite of the candied hawthorn in her hand, and found that the usually sweet and delicious candied hawthorn had become sour and unpleasant at this moment.

(End of this chapter)