Qi Shaoqing and Shi Fei arrived at the outpost where the caravan was stationed. They were guided by two Qi Cultivation practitioners as they made their way inside.
Upon entering the outpost, Qi Shaoqing was greatly surprised by the scene before him. He had managed this outpost for a while in the past and had visited it several times, so he was somewhat familiar with it.
In the past, there had been nearly ten thousand people here. Although that was a substantial number, most of the time, except for a small number of guards on the city walls, you wouldn't see many people around.
This was because most cultivators spent their time hidden away in their own cave mansions, only coming out when necessary. It was common for many of them to shut themselves in their cave mansions for a year or more.
Qi Shaoqing estimated that after Wang Hong's heavy losses, there wouldn't be as many people here as before. It should be quieter now.
But what he saw was more than a thousand people lined up on a massive Training Ground, divided into many groups, each led by different individuals.
At this moment, all these people were practicing various martial arts and combat techniques.
At that moment, dozens of people simultaneously summoned their Magical Weapons. Upon the leader's command, they struck a large boulder, which shattered into countless pieces and scattered in all directions.
"This is at least equivalent to a full-powered strike in the Foundation Building stage!" Shi Fei exclaimed, following Qi Shaoqing. He hadn't expected these seemingly ordinary Qi Cultivation practitioners to possess such formidable power.
Meanwhile, other practitioners were also cooperating with each other, using various techniques for defense, containment, and attack.
"How long have you been practicing ?" Shi Fei asked the Qi Cultivation practitioner who was guiding them.
"Senior, ever since the last major battle, Senior Wang divided us into groups and started this training," the Qi Cultivation practitioner replied honestly.
Shi Fei took a deep breath. In such a short time, their combat capabilities had improved at least twice as much. These Qi Cultivation practitioners had made remarkable progress.
Then the two of them inquired about some more details from this Qi Cultivation practitioner.
While they were talking, Wen Lan came over with a cheerful expression.
"Fellow Daoists, your arrival is an honor, forgive me for not welcoming you from afar," he said.
"You certainly have quite an attitude!" Shi Fei remarked, a bit annoyed. They had traveled from afar, and yet this caravan's leader had sent two Qi Cultivation practitioners to greet them directly.
Qi Shaoqing, on the other hand, remained calm and friendly, quickly responding, "Not at all! Fellow Daoist must be busy with many matters, and we are the ones imposing."
Wen Lan then led them to a guest hall and offered Spirit Tea and various spirit fruits.
After chatting for a while, Qi Shaoqing brought up the matter of their trade, and Wen Lan readily agreed. Their trade involved a large quantity of goods, and negotiating item by item would take an eternity.
Wen Lan handed both of them a list of items. The list clearly indicated the goods that the caravan was currently trading and their prices.
Qi Shaoqing and Shi Fei each took a list and examined it. The list primarily contained common Tier One and Tier Two Spiritual Objects.
"Wen Fellow Daoist, I heard that your caravan once auctioned three Foundation Establishment Pills. Is that true?" Qi Shaoqing closed the list and inquired. He had just received this information from the Qi Cultivation practitioner they had spoken to earlier.
"Yes, that's correct! Our East Master auctioned them to boost morale," Wen Lan replied without hiding the fact. At the time, this event had caused quite a commotion in the five outposts, and such things couldn't be kept secret.
"I wonder if your trading company still has any Foundation Establishment Pills? Could you spare one for me? I also want one to boost morale among my people," Qi Shaoqing said. He didn't quite understand Wang Hong's decision. If he had those Foundation Establishment Pills, he would have used them on his trusted followers.
Shi Fei remained silent, waiting to see if Qi Shaoqing's request would be successful. However, he didn't have high hopes. Who would easily sell such Pills?
"I'm sorry, but we've already run out of Foundation Establishment Pills. Those three Foundation Establishment Pills were obtained during our past encounter with the Treasure Hunters," Wen Lan replied. Qi Shaoqing wasn't too surprised by this; it was expected. He responded, "That's a pity. If your trading company ever has Foundation Establishment Pills for sale in the future, please remember me."
"Absolutely! Absolutely!" Wen Lan chuckled.
"I've also heard that your caravan has a unique healing Pill called the Hanyu Pill, with extraordinary effects. It doesn't seem to be listed on this inventory," Qi Shaoqing inquired. He had only heard about the Hanyu Pill; as for the Jade Marrow Pill, even Luo Zhongjie and Wen Lan didn't know of its existence. Those who had been saved by the Jade Marrow Pill only knew they had been rescued, as Wang Hong had never revealed its name.
"We do have some of those Pills, but due to the scarcity of raw materials, our inventory is limited. We usually don't sell them externally," Wen Lan said with a troubled expression.
Before Qi Shaoqing could respond, Shi Fei spoke up, "Fellow Daoist Wen, please name your price. I hope you can sell me some."
Shi Fei knew that Qi Shaoqing had a Nascent Soul stage grandfather who certainly didn't lack healing and life-saving Pills. However, he himself needed them. If he were to get injured, he wouldn't have many high-quality Pills to rely on.
Therefore, he was eager to obtain the life-saving Hanyu Pills.
Wen Lan thought for a moment, then showed a reluctant expression, saying, "If Fellow Daoist Shi insists, one Hanyu Pill can be traded for at least ten High-Quality Spirit Stones, or thirty thousand Spirit Stones for a Lower-Quality Spirit Stone."
Wen Lan quoted a relatively high price, almost on par with Foundation Establishment Pills.
After hesitating for a while, Shi Fei gritted his teeth and said, "Alright! I'll trade two for thirty thousand Lower-Quality Spirit Stones."
Since he could use Lower-Quality Spirit Stones for the trade, he was reluctant to use High-Quality Spirit Stones.
They immediately exchanged the money and the goods, completing the transaction.
Afterward, the three of them discussed their intentions for the upcoming goods trade. Specific identification of goods and the transfer of items would be handled by specialists.
Once both parties completed their transactions, Qi Shaoqing said, "I also wish to propose another trade with Fellow Daoist. I wonder if you would be interested?"
"What kind of trade is it? Feel free to propose, as long as it's within my discretion," Wen Lan responded.
[Read at /shanefreak, and heartfelt thankyou for your support!]