Chapter 5: Star Canyon

Upon seeing Wu Yan take out more than ten items at once, the shopkeeper was slightly taken aback. Although these materials were quite ordinary, this was only in comparison to cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage. In fact, among low-level cultivators, aside from weapon refining disciples, very few possess such a large quantity of materials. After all, if one cannot refine, it seems no one would be foolish enough to spend a considerable amount of spirit stones to purchase these items. Moreover, even for weapon refining disciples, aside from the materials consumed for monthly tasks and the crafting of some low-level magical tools, they would not have many materials left. This low-level cultivator, who was only at the eighth layer of the Qi Refining stage, did not appear to have any exceptional qualities. Nevertheless, despite the surprise, the shopkeeper still intended to extort.

Sighing softly, Wu Yan had no choice but to tentatively ask the somewhat altered-smiling boss, "Um... do you purchase the materials needed for refining weapons here?"

At this moment, Wu Yan is in the Starry Canyon. Ever since the day he had a dispute with that group of practitioners led by the man with the surname Yan, he has felt a sense of unease. To be cautious, he had to abandon a significant portion of his plans to produce blank talisman paper, thus freeing up time to enhance his self-defense capabilities. Creating low-level talismans is undoubtedly the only way for Wu Yan to strengthen his own power at present. Therefore, during the period of the challenge competition, he and his companions made every effort to turn the remaining materials in their possession into blank talisman paper. Subsequently, they traveled day and night to this Starry Canyon market to purchase the items needed for crafting talismans.

After clearing his throat, the shopkeeper assumed an air of expertise and casually glanced over the materials. He then frowned and said: "What a pity, these are all ordinary goods, and the refinement is quite crude. However, there is a considerable quantity. Well, how about this! You add thirty spirit stones to these materials, and those few items will be yours."

Indeed, the shopkeeper did not offer any additional discounts simply because Wu Yan was the first customer to visit in several days. "Welcome to our store, sir. The items here are definitely of great quality at reasonable prices. Hey! Shopping here is truly a wise choice. The low-grade talisman-making pen is 15 spirit stones, 100 portions of vermilion powder require 5 spirit stones, 50 portions of ice attribute beast blood cost 10 spirit stones, and 50 portions of earth attribute beast blood are 6 spirit stones. The total comes to 36 spirit stones, but I will sell it to you at cost for 35 spirit stones"

"Thirty spirit stones?" Wu Yan was taken aback, finding it hard to believe, as this price was not far from what he had expected. He never imagined that these materials would be so valuable. Seeing Wu Yan's hesitation, the shop owner, somewhat guilty, immediately said, "Twenty-eight spirit stones, it cannot be any less!"

Seeing the boss's attitude suddenly take a sharp turn, Wu Yan couldn't help but frown. It seemed he needed to change places. This guy seemed to have guessed his situation. If he really sold the materials to him, he would probably be severely taken advantage of. Despite this thought, Wu Yan still took out some of the materials he had refined. At present, he still did not have a good understanding of the value of most of the materials in his hands. The only reference he had was the attitude of Senior Brother Ma Lian towards these materials back then.

"Refining materials?" The shopkeeper scanned Wu Yan up and down with a puzzled look before slowly saying, "What level of materials are you referring to? If they are too ordinary, I do not need them."

Upon hearing this price, Wu Yan could not help but feel distressed. When he left the Artifact Refining Hall, he still had thirty-nine spirit stones in hand. However, he had already consumed two stones recently to quickly restore his mana, and spent another five stones to replicate the basic talisman-making jade slip. After setting aside two stones for emergencies, he was left with only thirty stones available for use. Even if the shopkeeper had a change of heart, it was impossible for him to sell at such a low price. The problem was that he could not reduce the quantity of his purchase any further; the talisman brush was indispensable. Moreover, the red cinnabar was also essential for neutralizing the beast blood, and could not be lessened. As for the remaining two types of beast blood, Wu Yan found it difficult to choose. The ice attribute beast blood was used to create ice spike talismans, which were undoubtedly tempting for Wu Yan, whose current attack power was relatively weak. However, the earth attribute beast blood was used for crafting the earth mound talisman, which served a defensive purpose. With one for offense and one for defense, this combination was undoubtedly the best choice, and it was also the fundamental reason why Wu Yan had initially chosen to learn these two types of spells.

This was Wu Yan's first visit to Starry Gorge, as he had devoted all his time and energy over the past thirty years to completing tasks and cultivating, and of course, a part of the reason was due to his financial constraints. Therefore, when faced with the magnificent and grandiose city, the shock in Wu Yan's heart was beyond imagination

Star Valley is located at the southeastern edge of the Yunmeng Mountain Range, serving as the only gateway guarding the southeastern entrance of the Yunmeng Sect. It is also one of the three gathering places for mortals within the Yunmeng Sect, jointly managed by the three peaks: Tianluo Peak, Tiansha Peak, and Tianling Peak. However, this arrangement is not due to the unique geographical position of Star Valley. In the context where the Yunmeng Sect dominates the entire Blue Star, this so-called gateway has long lost its significance. The true reason lies in the fact that there is a market in Star Valley that ranks among the top in the entire Blue Star and even the entire Blue Star Star Domain. This market is specifically established for cultivators, where all materials needed by cultivators, such as herbs, magical tools, and even treasures, can be found. However, the prerequisite is to have sufficient wealth, which naturally makes it unattainable for low-level cultivators like Wu Yan.

Good! Deal! Wu Yan calmly took out the spirit stones and quickly gathered the items he had purchased. Then, he vanished without a trace under the smiling gaze of the shop owner. However, the owner was unaware that Wu Yan ran away so quickly because he felt he had taken a tremendous advantage, making him extremely anxious and not daring to linger in Star City. He ran straight back to the Symbol Crafting Hall. It is worth noting that when the owner mentioned thirty spirit stones, Wu Yan had already decided to make the purchase. He only paused for a moment due to his excitement, but unexpectedly, he immediately earned two spirit stones. This can be said to be the easiest time Wu Yan has ever made spirit stones in his life.

I need a low-grade talisman brush, as well as one hundred portions of cinnabar, fifty portions of ice attribute beast blood, and fifty portions of earth attribute beast blood. In a small shop that appeared to be struggling with business, Wu Yan painfully recounted his needs for these items to the owner, who was inexplicably excited by the influx of customers. This purchase was likely to wipe out the savings he had painstakingly accumulated over thirty years. However, Wu Yan felt utterly helpless about it. He had already visited more than ten shops and reduced the quantity he needed by half, yet even so, the spirit stones in his possession were still somewhat insufficient.

Due to the vast scale of this market, even the host, the Yunmeng Sect, cannot monopolize the entire market, only managing to occupy 60% of the share, while the remaining 40% is divided among several small and medium-sized sects and merchant alliances within the Blue Star Starfield. Because of the convergence of interests, these forces have, in an implicit manner, formed a certain alliance. Even if external forces wish to carve out a share in the Blue Star Starfield, they would be met with a united front against them. The remaining 40% is divided among several small and medium-sized sects and merchant alliances within the Blue Star Starfield. Due to the convergence of interests, these forces have, in an implicit manner, formed a certain alliance. Even if external forces wish to carve out a share in the Blue Star Starfield, they would be met with a united front against them

This city, known as Star City, is said to have been carved from a massive stone. Apart from the four city gates located in the east, west, south, and north, there are no other exits. The buildings within the city are divided into three levels: the first level caters to the needs of cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage and below, the second level is dedicated to those at the Core Formation stage, while the third level is accessible only to cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage.

Entering the city cautiously, Wu Yan did not pause in front of the elaborately decorated shops, but instead headed directly towards a secluded corner, for it was only the items in those small shops that a low-ranking cultivator like Wu Yan could afford.