The Price of Heaven and Earth

He had no idea what the purpose of those gestures was, but they certainly lent him an air of professional expertise.

"The quantity and quality of the spiritual energy it generates are average, but its recovery rate is remarkable. At this level, there will definitely be a demand. Even Foundation Establishment-level factions would go to some lengths to acquire it."

"Is that so? Then, what would the price be...?"

"Would you mind checking this first?"

A long, cylindrical crystal appeared in Gwak Jeong-sin's hand. It drifted toward Jekyeong at a moderate pace. Jekyeong, who had not let his guard down, recognized that the crystal was similar to a jade slip and only then relaxed enough to make contact with it.

Ugh!

It was exactly like his previous experience with the jade slip. A flood of information was branded directly into his mind. However, the knowledge engraved this time was... highly unusual. It was like a shopping catalog he had often seen in his past life.

What is this?

Jekyeong felt a wave of surprise, followed by sheer absurdity. Brief descriptions and price tags of all kinds of spiritual items unrolled in his mind like an endless scroll. No matter how fast he skimmed through them, there seemed to be no end.

"Ah! There is no need to search through them one by one. If you simply think of your spiritual soil, the relevant information will present itself."

Following Gwak Jeong-sin's advice, Jekyeong focused his thoughts on the spiritual soil. Instantly, the endless list of spiritual items vanished, replaced by information on a few types of 'soil.' Their vivid images, general efficacy, and even prices materialized clearly in his mind. Among those few varieties, Jekyeong located the soil he possessed and checked the price listed next to it.

"Eight mid-grade spirit stones?"

He couldn't quite grasp whether that was a lot or a little. Thinking of the spirit stones he currently possessed, it seemed like a substantial sum, but...

"That is our selling price. Our buying price is five mid-grade spirit stones. As you may know, even this much is a massive fortune. It is equivalent to five thousand low-grade spirit stones. It is an amount that even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would find difficult to get their hands on easily."

Gwak Jeong-sin continued without even waiting to gauge Jekyeong's reaction.

"However! Since Fellow Daoist Jang has presented such a precious gift, I cannot simply stand by. The volume of your spiritual soil exceeds the standard unit recorded in our price list, so I will offer you an additional ten percent. On top of that, I will add another ten percent of my own discretion. Consider it a gesture to commemorate our first meeting and to foster a prosperous trading relationship in the future. What do you say?"

Offering a total of twenty percent more was undoubtedly a generous proposal—assuming the price list in his head was accurate.

Well, it's not like I have any choice but to believe it.

It wasn't that he blindly trusted the reputation or credibility of Yeongbu Jin-gun, but rather that he had no other viable options. Trading the spiritual soil directly with U Do-baek? That was one way to go, but in that case, he would be forced into a completely one-sided transaction. He would have to rely solely on U Do-baek's goodwill without knowing the true value of either the spiritual soil or the Transformation Secret Art. He didn't want to doubt U Do-baek's character, but it was always better to avoid situations where doubt could arise in the first place. Besides, he wasn't standing U Do-baek up entirely; he was simply going to pay for the transaction in spirit stones instead.

Come to think of it... the Transformation Secret Art might be on this list too.

Thinking of U Do-baek naturally brought the Transformation Secret Art to mind. Jekyeong tried to summon its details just as he had done with the spiritual soil. However, unlike before, nothing appeared in his mind. Just then, Gwak Jeong-sin spoke up as if he had suddenly remembered something.

"As you will see when you check, what I have given you is a catalog of spiritual items sold by our Yeongbu Merchant Alliance. It contains their general appearances, key ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠characteristics, efficacies, and prices. If you happen to acquire ownerless spiritual items in the future, this will help you identify them."

A catalog of spiritual items. In other words, secret arts like the Transformation Secret Art or cultivation methods were not recorded here.

Are they advertising to me so I'll keep selling them spiritual items in the future?

If they were going to be generous, they could have gone a bit further. Jekyeong swallowed his disappointment.

"You mentioned earlier that Fellow Daoist Jang gave me a gift. Is this catalog of spiritual items that gift?"

"Indeed. It is an item normally sold for ten low-grade spirit stones. It seems Fellow Daoist Jang holds you in very high regard."

Jekyeong recalled Jang Hu-am, who had been flashing his spiritual body in excitement all by himself. Though he hadn't said it aloud, the man had looked at him as if he were some kind of living golden goose, which had been quite burdensome. Still, whether he believed the price or not, he had received a gift worth ten low-grade spirit stones, so he felt he should properly express his gratitude the next time they met.

"Fellow Daoist Gwak, does your alliance happen to sell the Transformation Secret Art as well?"

"The Transformation Secret Art? Of course we do. However, I am not sure if we have any in stock at our branch. The demand is incredibly low, and it is a product that rarely earns us any praise after it is sold, so we tend to avoid stocking it."

"I understand why the demand is low, but what do you mean by it rarely earning you any praise after it is sold?"

"The Transformation Secret Art is a technique that allows non-humans to transform into human bodies. But as you know, not all non-humans are the same, are they? Take the Beast Race or demon beasts, for instance. Since the characteristics and conditions of each species differ, the difficulties accompanying transformation vary as well. Thus, even if one diligently practices a Transformation Secret Art, it is quite common for one technique to work for some while being completely useless for others."

Jekyeong frowned upon hearing Gwak Jeong-sin's explanation. U Do-baek had never mentioned this. Had he not known either, or had he known but chosen to remain silent?

"Therefore, one must learn a Transformation Secret Art that suits their specific nature. For example, if one's vital energy is exceptionally strong, they need a secret art with a powerful suppressing effect. If their spiritual nature is fierce, they must master one that calms that ferocity."

"It sounds far from simple."

"Haha. How could it be simple? Even if it is a simplified version, it is still a secret art that mimics the Transformation Tribulation."

Jekyeong felt uneasy at the realization that transformation, which he had assumed would be straightforward, might be far more difficult than expected. If he could not master human cultivation methods through transformation, his future path of cultivation would inevitably be paved with thorns.

"I see. Let us proceed with the trade first."

"Excellent. A wise decision."

Jekyeong handed over the spiritual soil and received six mid-grade spirit stones. During the exchange, Jekyeong was surprised to see ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Gwak Jeong-sin retrieve the spirit stones from a storage bag hanging casually at his waist. When Jekyeong asked if it was safe to carry such a fortune so carelessly, Gwak Jeong-sin burst into laughter as if he had just heard a hilarious joke.

"Haha! Cultivators bold enough to target someone from the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance are rare indeed. Especially so within the Human Territory. And though it is somewhat embarrassing to say so myself, I am more than capable of defending my own life."

Having sold the spiritual soil for six mid-grade spirit stones, Jekyeong decided to sell the two cultivation methods he had obtained from the water bandits while he was at it.

"Hmm... these are low-level cultivation methods. They only allow one to cultivate up to the Qi Refining stage, so they are practically basic techniques. Normally, we do not deal in such items... but if you wish to dispose of them, I can offer you one low-grade spirit stone."

One low-grade spirit stone. Perhaps because he had just held six mid-grade spirit stones in his hands, a single low-grade spirit stone felt like practically nothing.

"I'll sell them."

Gwak Jeong-sin mentioned that Jekyeong might get more if he took these cultivation methods to a market town, but when on earth would Jekyeong ever travel to a human market town just to sell them? Jekyeong decided to sell them on the spot, adding one more low-grade spirit stone to his storage bag.

"It has been a profitable transaction."

Having concluded their trade, Jekyeong and Gwak Jeong-sin conversed a bit longer before bidding each other farewell.

"This is my transmission talisman. If you ever need to use our alliance's services or have personal business with me, please do not hesitate to contact me."

"Thank you."

"Think nothing of it."

Gwak Jeong-sin mounted his puppet bird and left a smiling remark before departing.

"Somehow, I feel we will share a good connection in the future. I hope we meet often."

"Jekyeong! Jekyeong! Has that human left?"

"Yes."

Cheongo did not ask how he knew the human cultivator. The creature had always drawn a clear line between what was safe to ask and what was best left untouched. This time was no different.

The Transformation Secret Art...

It was like some blind draw; you couldn't even know if it would work until you tried ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to learn it. It was absurd, but if that was reality, there was nothing he could do. It would be great to hit the jackpot on the first try, but if not, he would just have to keep drawing. Fortunately, he now possessed a decent amount of spirit stones, so he could easily afford a few attempts.

Obtaining it from Senior U would be the best option.

If he couldn't get the secret art from U Do-baek, or if the one he obtained proved ineffective... he would have to acquire one through the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance.

Fortunately, the day of the Mansi Assembly is not far off, so I won't have to wait long.

In the meantime, he could simply continue treasure hunting with the turtle. If they could find decent spiritual items like this time, he would soon become a valued customer of the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance. Once that happened, procuring a Transformation Secret Art suited to him wouldn't be too difficult.

Actually... I don't necessarily have to obsess over the Transformation Secret Art.

Jekyeong searched for fire-attribute spiritual items in the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance's catalog. Red Jade Grass... Fire-Veined Spirit Ginseng... Vermilion Heart Root...

Starting from the familiar Fire Crystals, all sorts of unheard-of spiritual items lined up. As Jekyeong skimmed through their prices, his eyes widened involuntarily.

"..."

"Jekyeong! Why are you staring like that? Did something sad happen?"

"No. It's nothing."

The six mid-grade spirit stones that had felt incredibly heavy just moments ago now felt utterly insignificant.

One hundred of the lowest-grade spirit stones equaled one low-grade spirit stone. And it took one thousand low-grade spirit stones to equal the value of a single mid-grade spirit stone. This was because mid-grade spirit stones possessed a vastly different concentration and quantity of spiritual energy compared to the lower two tiers. While there were high-grade spirit stones above mid-grade, they were not something one could obtain simply by wanting them. Such items were treated more like spiritual treasures than mere currency, making them nearly impossible to acquire unless the owner willingly parted with them.

Yet, the prices of the spiritual items appearing in Jekyeong's mind were listed in those very high-grade spirit stones. At this point, it was less of a sale and more of an exchange. It was clear that those who desired high-grade spirit stones had listed their spiritual items through the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance to trade for them.

They might as well be pie in the sky.

He had heard that finding useful spiritual items in the Human Territory was like plucking stars from the sky, but seeing the prices with his own eyes brought the reality home.

With an overflowing population and scarce resources, the prices of cultivation resources like spiritual items must be skyrocketing.

He could finally understand why humans were so desperate to expand their territory. The Human Territory was vast, but its resources had likely run dry. Even if they weren't completely depleted to the point of barrenness, they were surely far too scarce to satisfy the countless human cultivators.

If humans continue to grow stronger like this, a day might come when all the cultivation resources in this world are entirely depleted.

Humans had short lifespans and vast numbers. These traits instilled a sense of urgency and desperation in human cultivators. They spared no means to rapidly raise their cultivation realms before their lifespans ran out, so naturally, wherever they flourished, the spiritual items of heaven and earth were picked clean.

If the day ever comes when humans seize hegemony over the entire Changram Realm, that will be the day the dark age of the cultivation world begins.

Without external resources to aid their cultivation, how high could human cultivators truly climb? Their peak would certainly not be what it was today.

Humans...

Jekyeong harbored complex feelings toward the humans of this world. As a former human, he felt a slight sense of kinship, but as a current member of the Beast Race, he felt wariness and fear.

I must always be cautious when interacting with them.

Jekyeong narrowed his eyes as he spotted a Demon Core listed among the spiritual items sold by the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance. Each Demon Core on the sales list represented the death of a Core Formation-stage beast cultivator. A Core Formation beast... Since the Jansu Whale King, the ruler of the Yangseo Lake beasts, was estimated to be at the mid-Core Formation stage, it meant beasts comparable to or even stronger than the Whale King had died and ended up on this catalog.

Jekyeong renewed his sense of vigilance. In a world where even a Core Formation Demon King could lose their head at any moment, a minor creature like himself had to tread with absolute caution, testing every stone bridge before crossing.

Jekyeong devoted himself to treasure hunting until the day of the Mansi Assembly approached. Having tasted sweet success, the turtle guided him with an active enthusiasm quite unlike its initial reluctance. With the turtle's help, Jekyeong easily ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠explored the nearby deep waters.

Even treacherous places that low-level water beasts couldn't dare approach posed little challenge to Jekyeong. No matter how violent the currents, they could not scratch his scales, and any creatures lingering nearby fled the moment he showed himself.

"Those fools are utterly overwhelmed by Your Dragon Lordship's majesty!"

The turtle, having thoroughly enjoyed basking in borrowed glory, mocked the fleeing water beasts with its neck—not particularly long for a turtle—stretched out proudly. Though it had initially feared ending up in Jekyeong's mouth, it now seemed to trust that Jekyeong would not eat it, casually climbing onto his tongue without a care.

"Dragon Lord, this is the last spot."

Heading in the direction the turtle indicated, Jekyeong discovered a dense patch of aquatic weeds resembling a jungle. Aside from looking somewhat peculiar, they emitted no noticeable spiritual energy. In the past, he would have turned back without a second thought. But now, things were different. Jekyeong was able to match the patch of weeds with an entry in the catalog of spiritual items engraved in his mind.

Swim Grass. Used as an ingredient in various health-boosting pills to enhance Yang energy.

Although it was classified as a spiritual item, it was merely an auxiliary ingredient for alchemical pills, so its price was quite low. Still, even a small amount of spirit stones was better than nothing. Moreover, given the sheer abundance of it here, harvesting and selling it all would yield a decent profit.

"Pluck every last bit of it."