"Is this the Seven Star Spirit Fruit?"
Chu Ning spoke with slight surprise, and Old Man Sun, with a hint of a smile in his tone, replied:
"Yes, this is the Seven Star Spirit Fruit. I obtained it by chance, and it took me a lot of effort to cultivate it well."
"It's indeed no ordinary item."
Chu Ning secretly marveled in his heart but did not ask further about the magical properties of the Seven Star Spirit Fruit or how Old Man Sun came to possess it.
Under the gaze of Old Man Sun, Chu Ning pinched a spell with his fingers and performed the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill.
His Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill couldn't be cast instantly; after all, this spell was much more advanced than spells like the Accelerating Technique.
However, given that Chu Ning used it almost daily, his proficiency with the spell was very high.
Moreover, Chu Ning consumed less magical power when using the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill compared to the average person.
This was why, after using the Accelerating Technique 10 times earlier, he dared to agree to cast the spell now.
Watching Chu Ning use the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill, Old Man Sun's eyes brightened slightly.
Although he couldn't perform the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill, just seeing the spiritual energy gathering effect of the spell, he knew that Chu Ning's technique was quite impressive.
Chu Ning continuously cast the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill 10 times.
By this time, it was clearly visible that the seven-colored leaves of the Seven Star Spirit Fruit were faintly glowing.
Seeing this, Old Man Sun was overjoyed, thanked Chu Ning repeatedly, and then took out three spirit stones and a small jade bottle.
"Fellow Daoist Wu, here are three spirit stones and a Replenishing Essence Pill, which include today's payment.
I'm advancing you one spirit stone for tomorrow. I hope you will be on time and keep this matter confidential."
The surname Wu was an alias Chu Ning made up on the spot, as he displayed cultivation different from his time in the sect, so naturally, he didn't use his real name.
Chu Ning nodded, "Since I have agreed with Shopkeeper Sun, I will certainly be punctual. Now, I would trouble Shopkeeper Sun to provide a place for me to meditate and restore my magical power."
"Of course, please follow me, Fellow Daoist," Old Man Sun led Chu Ning to a room to rest.
Chu Ning poured out an elixir from the small jade bottle, confirmed it was indeed a Replenishing Essence Pill, and then swallowed it.
The Replenishing Essence Pill is considered a basic elixir in the cultivation realm, particularly effective for early and middle-stage Qi cultivation practitioners.
Chu Ning had seen it before in the Transmission Room.
After sitting in meditation for less than a quarter of an hour, Chu Ning slowly opened his eyes, feeling his magical power fully restored, and couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.
"The effect of this Replenishing Essence Pill is truly remarkable, replenishing magical power very quickly.
In fact, I wouldn't have been short on magical power just by casting the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill 10 times, so there was no rush to recover.
Next time, I'll save this Replenishing Essence Pill for urgent use later."
After recovering his magical power, Chu Ning bid farewell to Old Man Sun, who reminded him again, and upon receiving Chu Ning's assurance, let him leave with peace of mind.
Chu Ning arrived outside the market. Having missed the agreed time with Qiu Shunyi, he directly used the Wind Manipulation Technique to head up the mountain.
A hundred-mile journey, Chu Ning traveled with wind control, returning to the courtyard in less than an hour.
In the following days, Chu Ning first checked the growth of Ink Spirit Bamboo and Spirit Rice in the two spirit fields each day.
Then he went to Old Man Sun's in the market to earn spirit stones.
With Chu Ning using the Cyan Wood Spring Blossom Skill on consecutive days, the Seven Star Spirit Fruit ripened at a visibly rapid pace.
By the last day when Chu Ning came to Old Man Sun to finish casting the spell, the fruit beneath the seven-colored leaves was full and round, faintly revealing a red hue.
Getting closer, one could sense the rich spiritual energy emanating from it.
At this time, Old Man Sun was extremely warm toward Chu Ning, specially preparing spirit tea to entertain him at the shop.
While sipping tea, Old Man Sun took out two spirit stones and a small bottle.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, I've already given you nineteen spirit stones before; here are two spirit stones and two Replenishing Essence Pills.
The extra spirit stone and Replenishing Essence Pill are to thank you for your hard work over these ten days."
"Thank you very much, Shopkeeper Sun." Chu Ning did not refuse and accepted them directly.
Old Man Sun chuckled, "If there's anything similar in the future, I hope you can support me again."
Chu Ning smiled. This time he didn't rush to leave but asked:
"Shopkeeper Sun, I wonder if I can get any discount using these spirit stones to purchase items from your store?"
"Of course, whatever you need, I'll naturally offer a good price," Old Man Sun's smile widened upon hearing Chu Ning wanted to purchase something.
After hearing this, Chu Ning immediately said, "I want to buy a few attack and defense talismans, and I'd like to ask if you have any talisman-related classics for sale here."
"I do have attack and defense talismans, depending on the level.
Basic Lower Grade Attack Talisman costs two Lower Grade Spirit Stones per piece, and Defense Talisman costs three Lower Grade Spirit Stones per piece.
As for books on Talisman Making, I don't have any. Those are secrets of the Major Sect and Cultivation Clans. Even if some big stores have them, the prices are shockingly high."
After listening to Old Man Sun, Chu Ning wasn't too bothered, as he wasn't too hopeful about finding Talisman Making Techniques here anyway. So he said:
"Then get me two pieces each of the Attack and Defense talismans."
Old Man Sun took out two talismans each from two separate boxes and said to Chu Ning:
"Golden Sword Talisman and Body Protection Talisman, both are good among Basic Lower Grade Attack and Defense Talismans. Altogether, it's 9 Spirit Stones for you."
Chu Ning nodded, acknowledging that the price was indeed fair.
During this time, he didn't stay in the market for nothing; he gained a slight understanding of prices for many items.
Then, Chu Ning asked, "Do you have any magical artifacts suitable for Wood Element Techniques?"
"I do, looking for magical artifacts related to the Wood Element, especially low-tier ones. I have quite a comprehensive selection."
Old Man Sun turned around with a smile and fetched a sword from a shelf behind him.
"This flying sword is rather basic, forged from refined iron with a simple Wood Element Array engraved during artifact refining.
It's quite suitable for cultivators who use Wood Element Techniques, priced at 30 Spirit Stones."
30 Spirit Stones? That's too expensive!
Chu Ning sucked in a breath of cold air when he heard the price.
He didn't even have 30 Spirit Stones in total.
Recently, he earned 21 Spirit Stones from Old Man Sun.
In the middle, he took on tasks like the Accelerating Technique and Clearing Technique at the market. Coupled with what he earned on the first day from Shopkeeper Song, it summed up to about 2 Spirit Stones.
Old Man Sun somewhat noticed Chu Ning's thoughts and said with a cheerful tone:
"Actually, a regular flying sword would cost around 20 Spirit Stones; since you're asking for one more suited to Wood Element Techniques, naturally, the price will be a bit higher."
This sword costs 20 Spirit Stones, unless he doesn't buy any talismans at all.
But for someone who's preparing to venture into the path of Talisman Making, he indeed wishes to buy some talismans to feel them out given an appropriate opportunity.
"Then forget about it." Chu Ning shook his head, planning to reconsider in the future.
"Oh right, I have a wooden sword here." At this moment, Old Man Sun seemed to suddenly remember something and said.
He then turned around and picked out a dusty black object from a corner of the shelf that had obviously been placed there for a long time.
"Strictly speaking, it can't be considered a sword. It's only a sword-shaped magical artifact made out of wood."
As Old Man Sun spoke, he used a Clearing Technique to remove the surface dust, revealing the true appearance of the object.
A dark wooden sword, larger than a regular flying sword in size.
A normal flying sword is about 15 inches long and 1 inch wide, whereas this wooden sword is 20 inches long and over 2 inches wide.
Moreover, this sword is twice as thick as a usual flying sword or wooden sword.
Chu Ning reached out to grab it, initially thinking a wooden sword would be light, but was slightly surprised as he couldn't lift it easily.
"The sword measures 21 inches in length, 2.5 inches in width. I don't know what kind of wood it's made from, but it's very heavy.
However, a simple array is engraved on it, and injecting magical power will make it as light as a normal flying sword.
When it hits a target, it will regain its weight, dealing some damage to the opponent.
But since it's wooden and not sharp, the damage is limited, making it rather impractical.
It's been sitting here for quite a few years. Initially, some people asked about it, but in recent years, it's almost forgotten."
After Old Man Sun finished speaking, Chu Ning finally managed to lift the wooden sword with effort. When he slightly infused it with magical power, it indeed felt much lighter.
"It does have some novelty," Chu Ning remarked, then asked Old Man Sun:
"How much is this?"
Old Man Sun waved his hand and said, "I obtained it unintentionally for 10 Spirit Stones. If you want it, I'll transfer it to you at the original price."
Chu Ning nodded and took out 17 complete Spirit Stones from his pocket.
Along with some broken spirit stones that amounted to 2 Spirit Stones, he handed them all to Old Man Sun.
Old Man Sun didn't mind that Chu Ning gave quite a few broken spirits and accepted them cheerfully.
Chu Ning divided the four talismans into separate locations and walked out of the shop, holding the wooden sword.
Not lingering too long in the market, Chu Ning soon left, using the Wind Manipulation Technique to head straight toward the sect.
Meanwhile, on the usual path where Chu Ning returns to the sect, a figure hid behind dense bushes.
"This kid hasn't come yet today, seems later than the past two days."