[Library Points: 1242]
Jiang Ding glanced at his phone.
After adding the animal specimen option, the specimen collection progress accelerated once again, receiving hundreds to thousands of specimens each day, roughly one to two tenths of which were unknown flora and fauna.
'At this pace, I could accumulate ten thousand points in two to three months,' Jiang Ding thought to himself, pleased.
Ten thousand library points could allow the Central Array Spirit Computer to custom-tailor a cultivation method, greatly improving a cultivator's affinity for a particular method and speeding up their cultivation progress.
Of course, ten thousand points correspond to foundation building stage and below cultivation methods, with a limit on the level of the technique.
'Within three months at most, should I opt for the "Eagle Taking Off Sword Technique" or the "Great Sun Sword Cultivation Method"?' Jiang Ding hesitated.
The "Eagle Taking Off Sword Technique" was already at a minor stage of accomplishment, improving daily, so it felt somewhat wasteful to spend ten thousand points on it.
However, while the "Great Sun Sword Cultivation Method" was undeniably powerful, the materials required were exceedingly precious; it was uncertain whether the 'Heavenly Sound Stone' taken by the Jindao School was indeed the legendary 'Taiqing Spirit Iron.'
"I'll decide when the time comes."
Jiang Ding sighed and placed his hand on the sword hilt.
Long unseen, the busy attendants and shopkeeper in the front yard stood up to greet him but were stopped by his gesture, so Jiang Ding casually found a corner seat to sit down.
The shop had been open for over half a month and its reputation had gradually spread; many nearby knew that a peculiar proprietor had come to Lanban Street who would buy flora and fauna, insects and birds, but only one of each kind, never repeating.
With the addition of Huang Deyou and Han Lin, there were four people in total at the shop, serving a constant stream of herb gatherers, mountain dwellers, and occasionally women and children from the city who heard of the place.
"You were buying Flower Snake Vine and Toad Grass just yesterday, why refuse them now? All my efforts were in vain?! Ah!"
A weather-beaten herb gatherer slammed the counter in fury.
The attendant Han Lin's face shrank.
"Old Li, our shop has had a rule from the start: first come, first served," Huang Deyou quickly approached with a somewhat arrogant demeanor, deflecting and placating the gatherer until he left, chuckling in apology.
Soon after, a mountain dweller made a scene over being refused because an insect the size of a finger had lost a delicate leg the width of a hair, and Huang Deyou ran off to deal with that too.
Jiang Ding observed carefully and noted that Huang Deyou wasn't always proud and aloof.
When encountering relatives of the Wild Wolf Gang's minor leaders or distant relatives of certain constables, his attitude softened considerably; even if their goods didn't meet the standard, he would pay them some petty cash from a 'special fund' and speak kindly.
No matter who he dealt with, he always managed to make people follow his lead, ensuring business ran smoothly.
"Quite impressive..."
Jiang Ding silently marveled.
"If Huang Deyou and I were in a world without spirits, he'd probably fare much better than me, and by a lot."
Sihai Business Association.
Jiang Ding was led by a maid into the elegant second-floor room of the establishment, the fragrance of the tea wafting through the air, filtered by a thin layer of True Qi at the tip of his nose.
It wasn't due to any cultivation technique or martial skill; the "Eagle Taking Off Sword Technique" inherently provided an exceptionally fine level of control, a natural instinct in some sense of the word 'immune to all poisons.'
"For Young Master Jiang to grace us with his presence, it truly brings honor to my humble establishment," Dragon Three hurried over, smiling from a distance.
Shopkeeper Long, you flatter me too much," Jiang Ding replied with a slight bow.
After the usual courtesies, Jiang Ding cut to the chase, presenting a box containing seven man-made Nightlight Pearls, the size of thumbs, whose luminescence could last for over a century.
Placed in worlds with lower technological levels, they held significant value as luxury items.
"Shopkeeper Long, what price do you propose?"
Dragon Three was taken aback.
Could this gentleman have raided the den of some river clam spirit? Otherwise, where would all these glowing pearls come from?
Dragon Three showed a hesitant expression.
"What, does the Sihai Business Association not accept them?" Jiang Ding asked with a smile.
"Of course not, the items from the young master are too valuable; I was momentarily stunned," Dragon Three composed himself. "I have been through trials and tribulations with the young master, so I'll just ask directly."
"Will you be selling more of these items in the future? You may not be aware, young master, but if there are many, the price might decrease somewhat."
This didn't sound like the words of a merchant; he was too honest.
However, Dragon Three was confident that the person in front of him would not deceive him, at least not for some silver.
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Ding gave an answer.
As an effective form of trade, he was too lazy to change; however, he would also not sell them indiscriminately in one place, causing their value to drop too much.
"How about pricing each pearl at seven hundred taels?"
Dragon Three thought about it and said.
"Agreed, try to exchange for older ginseng."
After leaving the Sihai Business Association, Jiang Ding weighed the bundle of ginseng boxes wrapped in black cloth that he held in his hand.
There was one ninety-year-old ginseng, three seventy-year-old ginsengs, seven fifty-year-old ginsengs, and the remaining twelve were twenty to thirty years old, totaling 2200 taels of silver, with another 2700 taels in silver notes in his pocket.
He had basically swept the Sihai Business Association's stock of old ginseng clean, leaving them unable to restock for at least half a year.
"This should maintain a month of high-intensity training..."
Jiang Ding thought silently as he walked towards Lanban Street, completely ignoring any occurrences of martial contests for marriage, monkey shows, or temple fairs.
He felt his current life was very good.
He had only gone out twice in the last month, never went out without reason, didn't stir up any trouble, and cultivated quietly.
In fact, there were ways to obtain better old medicine, even centennial ginseng that only major powers traded among themselves.
He could just gather it from Donglingshan Mountain; even if fierce beasts guarded it, and drones surveyed and searched the area, he wasn't incapable of collecting it.
However, it was dangerous, and he was unwilling to go.
Jiang Ding's pace halted, his brow furrowed.
"Indeed, this is the common disorder of the Outer Realm mentioned in books."
"This is a city governed by competent officials in charge of the military, and yet, in broad daylight, what are they thinking?"
From the drone's perspective,
there were three individuals with different disguises: a beggar, a merchant, and a peddler, who had been following him. They begged and peddled as if normal, but they kept glancing his way with the corners of their eyes, very professionally.
Had it not been for the drone, he wouldn't have noticed them at all.
"So this is the so-called experience of Jianghu."
Jiang Ding's expression became colder as he silently memorized the actions of these three from earlier, planning to watch and learn more from the recorded footage later.
Drones were not omnipotent; if he encountered Foundation-building cultivators or Qi Practitioners who practiced pupil techniques, they would be able to spot the drone a kilometer high in the sky.
If he could not obtain a more advanced drone in the future, everything would have to rely on himself.
With a snort, Jiang Ding walked into Lanban Street as usual, heading back to his shop unconcerned.
The three did not intervene. After repeatedly confirming the address, they exchanged glances, took several turns, and walked into the backyard of a grand mansion located on the east side of the city.