Crow Immortal
Chapter 11: Market Talk

After Zhang Shan, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan left with smiles on their faces, the old Taoist Li's expression gradually darkened. He sighed and sat down at the table, having no appetite for the food.

"Young man, do you think a person's fate is predetermined by heaven?"

"That girl Liu Lan has three spiritual roots—such excellent talent. She cultivates quickly and might even have hope of reaching Foundation Establishment someday. Even Steward Wang doesn't withhold her spirit rice harvest."

"At my age, with five spiritual roots... Steward Fang was absolutely right back then. If I follow the conventional path, I'll probably never enter the outer sect in this lifetime!"

At first, Old Taoist Li was just complaining, but by the end, he suddenly slammed the table and stood up, his voice hoarse, his ugly face twisted with bloodshot eyes—clearly overcome with emotion.

Han Yu tried to console him: "Elder Li, although we're only servant disciples, at least we have the chance to cultivate. That's much better than those servants without spiritual roots who have no hope at all."

The rules of Wangu Valley had always been thus—only geniuses with dual spiritual roots or better might be directly accepted as inner or outer sect disciples by elders. Those with three, four, or five spiritual roots, being of poorer aptitude, had to start as servant disciples.

Disciples with three spiritual roots, being among the more talented servant disciples who cultivated quickly, were generally not bullied and would eventually become outer sect disciples.

As for those with four or five spiritual roots... that was harder to say.

Old Taoist Li clenched his fists and walked outside: "I once rode horses freely, carefree in the martial world, seeking immortality my whole life—was it all for this powerless existence?"

Having said this, he didn't speak further with Han Yu, striding away resolutely.

Han Yu stared blankly at his retreating figure for a moment before lowering his head to continue eating.

The rabbit meat Elder Li had prepared was truly delicious. He wondered if he'd ever get to eat rabbit that had been properly bled like this again...

The next day, Han Yu and Old Taoist Li arrived outside Liu Lan's stone house.

Besides Zhang Shan and Sun Kang, two other male disciples and a rather pretty female disciple had also come to celebrate with Liu Lan.

"Junior Sister Liu truly lives up to her three spiritual roots—she's undoubtedly a genius among us servant disciples!"

"Indeed, it won't be long before we have to call her Senior Sister Liu!"

They congratulated Liu Lan, even bordering on flattery.

Liu Lan was also quite happy—not being particularly serious or arrogant by nature—and cheerfully invited everyone to sit.

Zhang Shan stepped forward and took out a spirit stone containing spiritual energy: "Junior Sister Liu, congratulations on reaching Qi Refinement third layer—just one step away from entering the outer sect! A small gift—please accept it!"

Liu Lan was pleasantly surprised: "A spirit stone? Thank you so much, Senior Brother Zhang!"

Following Zhang Shan's lead, Sun Kang and the other three also presented gifts.

Sun Kang gave two Wind Riding Talismans, while the two other male servant disciples—having likely coordinated—each gave two jin of Green Sprout Spirit Rice.

The pretty girl took out a jade hairpin: "Junior Sister Liu, I don't have anything particularly valuable, but this hairpin has two protective charm effects. I got it from Wangu Valley's Green Sprout Market—please take it..."

Liu Lan quickly stood up: "Senior Sister Wei, this is too precious! How could I accept something so valuable from you?"

"We've been like sisters all this time—why stand on ceremony? Just take it!" Senior Sister Wei stuffed the hairpin into Liu Lan's arms. Though Liu Lan kept saying she couldn't possibly accept it, once she took it, she couldn't help but beam with joy as she examined it carefully, forgetting to attend to others.

Senior Sister Wei looked questioningly at Old Taoist Li and Han Yu—this old-young pair hadn't brought gifts?

Zhang Shan explained with a smile: "Li Quan and Han Yu have been here less than two months. They just came to offer congratulations."

Senior Sister Wei suddenly understood: "Oh, the ones who entered with tokens—one with four spiritual roots, one with five? Right, I've heard about them."

Old Taoist Li and Han Yu nodded. Senior Sister Wei didn't speak further with them, clearly considering them unpromising.

As Liu Lan began hosting her guests, Old Taoist Li—after some thought—excused himself, claiming other business. Since the others had brought nice gifts while they'd come empty-handed, it would be inappropriate to stay and freeload off Liu Lan's hospitality.

Liu Lan and Zhang Shan offered perfunctory farewells without moving, while Sun Kang—ever the honest one—escorted them outside Liu Lan's spirit fields.

"Senior Brother Sun," Han Yu asked, "can you draw talismans?"

"Not at all. Those two Wind Riding Talismans were also exchanged at Green Sprout Market—they're the simplest, cheapest kind."

Before Han Yu could ask further, Old Taoist Li's eyes lit up eagerly: "Where is this Green Sprout Market? How do transactions work there?"

Sun Kang smiled: "Go back and wait a while. After I finish celebrating with Junior Sister Liu, I'll come by and tell you about Green Sprout Market."

Old Taoist Li and Han Yu returned to Han Yu's stone house to wait. Half a day later, a slightly tipsy Sun Kang indeed came and explained about the market.

Wangu Valley had 100-200 inner sect disciples, nearly 1,000 outer sect disciples, 2,000-3,000 servant disciples, and about 1,000 non-cultivating servants scattered around the valley—not particularly crowded for cultivation purposes. But daily life needs and cultivation resource exchanges couldn't rely entirely on the sect's "major" and "minor" merit systems.

While inner and outer sect disciples had better access, servant disciples and servants had few opportunities to exchange items within the sect. The market facilitated their survival.

Moreover, since Wangu Valley assigned stewards to manage it, the market was orderly with abundant variety. Outer and inner sect disciples sometimes shopped there too, and even some external cultivators—unaffiliated rogue cultivators—would visit.

"The market is about ten li east of Wangu Valley, generally considered under the valley's protection. It has all kinds of goods—talismans, pills, magical implements, formations, spirit herbs and fruits, etc. Some trade goods directly, while others use spirit stones or spirit rice."

"Prices in spirit rice or stones vary. At Wangu Valley's official Wangu Hall, prices are stable. Trading with others, you might score a bargain or get badly cheated."

After Sun Kang's explanation, Han Yu and Old Taoist Li had a basic understanding of Green Sprout Market.

"Do those servants who can't cultivate also go to the market?" Old Taoist Li asked.

Sun Kang nodded: "Yes, they're there too. Occasionally they acquire spiritual items or spirit rice to exchange for what they need—for them it's like striking it rich overnight. Sometimes they sell themselves, their children, or mundane foods and game."

Old Taoist Li seemed enlightened and smiled thoughtfully: "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Sun!"

Han Yu also expressed gratitude.

Sun Kang laughed: "We're fellow disciples—no need for such formality. In four months, after your Green Sprout Spirit Rice harvest, I'll take you to the market to see what you can buy."

Old Taoist Li sighed: "After handing over ninety percent of our harvest and using some for cultivation, what would we have left to buy?"

Hearing this, Sun Kang sympathized but could offer no solution.

This was precisely how Steward Wang exploited ordinary servant disciples. Being low-status and under others' control, who could change it?