Chapter 9: The Inanimate Sealing Art
After entering the city, Bai Feng didn't follow Yang Qingwu. Instead, he headed directly to his first destination: the Southeast Merchant Alliance. The alliance operated a massive general store where one could purchase a vast array of goods, including rare items not found in the standard game shop.
Upon entering, a receptionist welcomed him. Bai Feng nodded in return, taking a moment to scan the shop's interior. The space was enormous, filled with numerous counters displaying herbs, potion bottles, and talisman papers. Various weapons hung along the walls.
Deciding to do some shopping before leaving, Bai Feng spoke to the receptionist.
"I'm here to sell some spirit beast carcasses."
"Very well, sir. Please follow me."
He followed her through a set of doors that led to a wide courtyard. She bowed politely.
"Please wait here for a moment. I will call for the manager."
"Understood."
He didn't have to wait long. A manager arrived, greeting him with a smile.
"Greetings, sir. You may call me Manager Wu. I heard you wish to sell spirit beast carcasses. Might I ask what grade they are?"
"Grade-1 beasts."
"I see. And how many are you looking to sell?"
"One hundred Red-Eyed Wolf carcasses."
Manager Wu's eyes gleamed as he laughed. "Certainly! Our Southeast Merchant Alliance always offers fair prices. We pay ten silver coins per Grade-1 Red-Eyed Wolf."
"That works. Let's do it."
Bai Feng released the hundred carcasses from his storage, piling them up in the courtyard. Manager Wu immediately paid out one thousand silver coins. At this moment, Bai Feng was arguably the wealthiest player in the game, possessing ten gold coins (equivalent to a thousand silver) plus another thousand silver coins separately. He turned to Manager Wu.
"Do you happen to have any Low-Grade, Grade-2 Cultivation Pills?"
Thinking he might get some of the money back, Manager Wu replied cheerfully, "Of course we do! Come this way, let me show you."
They walked back to a counter where Manager Wu presented a bottle. "A Low-Grade, Grade-2 Cultivation Pill costs 250 silver coins per pill."
Despite the steep price, Bai Feng sighed and bought two. Normally, it would take most players three days to reach the Viscera Refining stage, but he needed to raise his cultivation level as quickly as possible. One month after the game's launch, the Demon Beast Tide would begin. That catastrophe would involve Grade-3 beasts and even a Grade-4 beast. The players' task would be to cull the lower-level demons, while the Grade-3 and Grade-4 behemoths would be handled by the Sect Leader of the Dark-Shattering Sun Sect—one of the three great immortal sects ruling the Golden Light Region.
The Zhou, Yan, Shang, Wu, and Song Dynasties were all nations located within this Golden Light Region. The Vermilion Phoenix Continent was divided into eight such regions, and the Golden Light Region was one of them. Within it, the five dynasties fell under the influence of the three great sects. This alone spoke to the sheer scale of the Vermilion Phoenix Continent; its total area was likely far larger than the actual Earth. Significant profits awaited those who could contribute to that upcoming battle.
Cutting his thoughts short, Bai Feng handed over five hundred silver coins. "Two pills, please."
"Certainly. Here you are."
Next, he considered his attire. The default Taoist robe provided by the game was brown and appeared quite worn. He asked Manager Wu to show him some Taoist robes, and the manager happily obliged. After some deliberation, Bai Feng chose a robe crafted from white and silver fabric. It came with a matching hair crown, radiating the aura of a true Taoist master.
[Mist Taoist Robe (Silver Grade)]
[Price: 500 Silver Coins]
[Effect: Provides a pure aura. Strength +10, Agility +10, Endurance +10, Spirit Power +5.]
"An excellent robe. I'll take it."
He paid the fee and immediately changed in the shop's dressing room. When he emerged, his presence was perfectly aligned with that of a Taoist Master, giving off a refined and pure vibe. Except for a few silver highlights framing his face, his black hair was neatly tied back with the Taoist crown, looking exceptionally dignified. His handsome face, accented by his well-groomed beard and mustache, made him look like a powerful young martial uncle from a divine sect. The silver borders of the robe were intricately embroidered, making its high value obvious.
As he stepped out of the shop, he noticed many women on the street stealing shy glances at him. Feeling a bit out of place, Bai Feng hurried toward a quiet, abandoned pavilion in a secluded alley to check the rewards from his first hidden quest. He summoned his status screen.
[Name: Bai Tianyun]
[Title: Spirit Beast Hunter]
[Cultivation Rank: Bone Refining Stage (Qi 10,000 / 50,000)]
• Strength: 41
• Agility: 46
• Endurance: 41
• Spirit Power: 41
[Weapon: Control Brush]
[Skill: Nature Taoist Incantation (Master 0 / 10,000)]
[Equipment: Mist Taoist Robe (Silver Grade)]
[Inventory: 10 Gold Coins, Storage Ring (Cultivation Guidebook, 1 Grade-1 Cultivation Pill (Low-Grade), 3 Grade-1 Cultivation Pills (High-Grade), 1 Grade-2 Cultivation Pill (Low-Grade), 1 Enlightenment Ticket, 1 Random Treasure Box)]
He pulled out the Random Treasure Box. It wasn't large, roughly the size of an A4 sheet of paper. It had no keyhole and didn't seem like it could be opened by hand.
"Open box," he whispered.
[Random Treasure Box has been opened.]
[You have obtained the 'Inanimate Sealing Art' (Advanced Grade).]
[Inanimate Sealing Art: Can seal any non-living object, rendering it completely motionless. At mastery, it can even stop the flow of a massive waterfall.]
"Hahaha!"
Bai Feng laughed like a madman, overcome with joy. He immediately chose to learn it.
"Learn."
[Congratulations! You have learned the 'Inanimate Sealing Art' at the Initiate stage.]
"Perfect, I still have that Enlightenment Ticket. Once I reach the 'Understand' stage, I can use the ticket to skip straight to the 'Master' stage. Destiny truly favors me."
[Inanimate Sealing Art (Advanced) - (Initiate 0 / 100)]
Looking for something to practice on, he noticed a tree in front of the pavilion. As leaves drifted down, he extended his hand.
"Inanimate Seal!"
[Skill XP +1]
Nothing seemed to happen, though the leaf appeared to slow down slightly before continuing its fall. He tried again.
"Inanimate Seal!"
[Skill XP +1]
He practiced repeatedly, his experience points ticking up steadily with every attempt.
[Skill XP +1]
[Skill XP +1]
[Skill XP +1]
One hour later...
[Congratulations! You have reached the 'Understand' stage of the Inanimate Sealing Art.]
[To be Continue...]
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