Crow Immortal
Chapter 43: Spiritual Plant Basics

The cobblestone street was crowded with people all heading toward the tavern to join the commotion.

Han Yu stopped before a shop with a plaque reading "Hundred Herb Pavilion."

A mix of medicinal fragrance and faint scorched pill-fire aroma wafted through the half-open door—slightly pungent yet remarkably invigorating.

"Customer, are you here to sell spiritual plants or purchase pills?"

A middle-aged cultivator with a goatee emerged from behind the counter, dressed in blue robes that clearly identified him as an outer disciple of Wangu Valley.

He smiled while scrutinizing Han Yu: "A fellow disciple from Wangu Valley, I see. Not some outsider pretending by wearing gray robes, are you?"

Han Yu asked: "Would anyone dare impersonate someone right beneath Wangu Valley's watch?"

"Pretending to be a servant disciple of Wangu Valley carries the lowest risk," the goateed cultivator chuckled. "Just wear gray robes for 80% resemblance—take them off and no one recognizes you."

Changing topics, he inquired: "What would you like to purchase or sell?"

The goateed cultivator showed no surprise, merely extending a glowing green fingertip to hover above the vine: "Approximately three-year-old Spirit Blood Vine, roots well-preserved. Good for enhancing physical strength—worth one spirit stone."

One spirit stone?

Han Yu was startled, recalling how the same vine had been priced much higher at the Bamboo Shed Area stalls.

Considering this was an official Wangu Valley establishment where ambush thefts never occurred, the price seemed fair enough.

But one spirit stone couldn't accomplish much—better keep the vine for personal use.

Retrieving the Spirit Blood Vine, Han Yu instead produced the Mystic Heart Fruit from his robe.

The goateed cultivator's eyes lit up: "A Mystic Heart Fruit! Excellent item. Will you sell this, customer?"

"Please appraise its value," Han Yu replied.

Nodding, the cultivator again extended his glowing fingertip toward the fruit.

"Five-year Mystic Heart Fruit, superior quality. Suitable for refining Serene Mind Qi-Gathering Pills."

Han Yu asked: "How does that differ from Qi Condensing Pills?"

With no other customers around, the goateed man indulged in explanation: "Completely different. Qi Condensing Pills only show noticeable effects during early and mid Qi Refining stages. For late-stage Qi Refiners, one must use Qi-Gathering Pills instead."

"Adding Mystic Heart Fruit creates Serene Mind Qi-Gathering Pills—they not only boost cultivation but also clear mental distractions, greatly benefiting alchemy, spellcasting, and artifact forging endeavors."

Turning around, the cultivator retrieved a fragrant wooden case and placed it before the fruit: "Well? Fifteen spirit stones. Will you sell?"

Han Yu's heart raced—he'd never imagined the fruit could fetch fifteen stones, equivalent to fifteen Qi Condensing Pills!

When consumed directly, its cultivation benefits equaled merely three pills, yet its mind-clarifying properties commanded this premium. Sold elsewhere, it might even exceed fifteen stones.

"I'm inclined to sell, but spirit stones aren't my priority. I'd prefer exchanging for items—does your shop permit trades?" Han Yu inquired.

"We only accept exchanges for pills or other herbs—otherwise it's spirit stones. Buy whatever else you need from other shops with the stones," the goateed man stated.

Understanding now, Han Yu pressed further: "What if I seek knowledge about spiritual plants... do you have such resources here?"

Smiling, the cultivator first sealed the Mystic Heart Fruit in the wooden case, then retrieved a gray jade slip from his storage pouch: "'Common Spiritual Flora Compendium,' plus ten spirit stones as balance. Acceptable?"

Delighted, Han Yu hastily collected both items: "Agreed!"

Finding his hands overfull, he asked: "Senior Brother, how much for a storage pouch?"

The goateed man chuckled: "Roughly five Mystic Heart Fruits should suffice."

Seventy-five stones?! Han Yu inwardly gasped before acknowledging the logic—storage pouches offered unparalleled convenience and secrecy for transport.

As Han Yu prepared to leave post-transaction, a white spirit dog suddenly panted at his heels.

Startled, he turned to see the crimson-robed girl Zhong Yue dashing in again. She scooped up the dog by its scruff, grinning at the goateed cultivator: "Senior Brother Yang, have you seen the commotion outside?"

"The tavern announced this year's predicted top ten inner and outer disciples—even mortals are swarming to watch!"

Senior Brother Yang laughed: "Why aren't you joining them, little troublemaker? Thought you loved spectacles?"

Zhong Yue giggled: "They're just mindless crowds."

"When I eventually rank first among outer disciples, they'll scramble just the same."

"Fine ambition!" Senior Brother Yang praised.

Nodding, Zhong Yue glanced at her dog still fixated on Han Yu near the doorway. Puzzled, she asked: "What should I call you, Junior Brother? Didn't we meet earlier at the Bamboo Shed Area?"

"Yes."

"How curious—my dog usually only sniffs around spiritual herbs, yet it's approached you twice now. Unless you're carrying—"

Senior Brother Yang abruptly scowled: "Zhong Yue, silence!"

"Probing others' secrets is the gravest taboo! Some might kill you for such indiscretions—remember, loose lips sink lives!"

"Alright, alright! My mistake, Senior Brother!" Zhong Yue ducked her head, then cheerfully apologized to Han Yu: "My apologies, Junior Brother!"

She grabbed a handful of Moonlight Grass from her herb basket and shoved it toward him: "Consider this my peace offering!"

Overwhelmed with holding spirit stones, the jade slip, and now herbs, Han Yu struggled to manage everything.

Zhong Yue rummaged through the pavilion and produced a large cloth bag: "Take this—no need for shyness!"

Recognizing her genuine remorse, Han Yu accepted graciously.

He packed the ten stones, compendium slip, and Spirit Blood Vine into the bag before taking his leave.

Zhong Yue watched him depart, smiling: "So young yet carrying so much. Forgot to ask his name or background."

Senior Brother Yang tugged his goatee disapprovingly: "Zhong Yue, you must be careful. While Green Sprout Market and Wangu Valley are safe enough to chat with fellow disciples, such questions elsewhere could get you killed instantly!"

Nodding, Zhong Yue changed subjects: "Understood, Senior Brother Yang... Speaking of which, you've been an outer disciple for years—why not aim for the top ten rankings?"

He sighed: "Age has dulled my edge. Without major achievements, how could I embarrass myself on stage? Moreover, outer disciples over forty face intervention from the deans if they rank too high."

As they conversed, both gazed at the bustling crowds outside, lost in separate thoughts.