Spirit-Calming Pill

The burly cultivator still wore that mask without any other disguise, so Qin Sang recognized him at a glance. That baffling sense of familiarity had only surfaced once when they first met. Qin Sang had assumed it was an illusion and hadn't bothered to look into it, never expecting to run into him here again. "This old man was just about to seal the secret passage. You nearly arrived too late, Fellow Daoist. Please, take a seat quickly." As the old man spoke, he waved his hand to cast a restriction. At the entrance of the hidden chamber, the darkness squirmed, and a wall grew out of thin air, sealing off the entrance. The burly cultivator seemed to have rushed over in haste, panting for breath. Before even sitting down, he pressed impatiently, "Senior, you said a fellow daoist is willing to trade a Spirit-Calming Pill for my Thousand Vine Flowers. Is that true?" Hearing this, Qin Sang thought to himself, *No wonder.* The Spirit-Calming Pill was also an elixir that could nurture the origin soul and heal spiritual souls, though its medicinal effects were inferior to the Nethermind Fruit. It seemed the burly cultivator truly had an urgent need for such pills. Having failed to buy one at the trade fair, he had settled for second best and chosen the Spirit-Calming Pill. From his tone, he had been invited here by the old man. The old man's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he replied, "This old man never speaks falsehoods. There is indeed a fellow daoist who possesses a Spirit-Calming Pill and intends to part with it, but whether a deal can be reached will depend on how the two of you negotiate. This old man is merely acting as a matchmaker and a witness; I can guarantee nothing else. Calm yourself, Fellow Daoist. The secret market is about to begin, and you will soon know whether my words are true or false." At this moment, the person seated to the old man's left suddenly spoke up: "Senior, I see this fellow daoist is truly in a hurry. Since everyone is here, why not start the trading with us? It will also set an example for the others." The speaker wore a black robe that covered her entirely, even enveloping her head. Yet it could not hide her petite figure, forming a stark contrast with the burly cultivator. Judging by her voice, she was also a female cultivator. The woman seemed quite familiar with the old man, speaking with a touch of informality. The old man readily agreed with a chuckle. "Since you say so as well, Fellow Daoist, this old man will briefly explain the rules of the secret market, and then we shall begin. "The rules of the secret market are very simple. Everyone takes turns presenting the treasures they wish to part with and stating their conditions. If any other fellow daoist is interested in the treasure, they may make an offer. Ultimately, it is entirely up to you whether to trade; this old man will not interfere. "During the transaction, no one asks about the origin of the treasures or the identities of either party. Cash in one hand, goods in the other—once completed, the deal is settled. "Before the secret market concludes, no one may leave on their own. "Furthermore, although this old man's strength is humble, I possess a few tricks of my own. I ask any fellow daoists with ill intentions to rein in their petty thoughts so that no unpleasant scenes arise..." Having said this, the old man gestured to the female cultivator beside him. Leaning forward to look at the fidgeting burly man, she explained in a soft voice, "Fellow Daoist, I lacked the qualifications to attend the auction. It was only today, through Senior, that I learned you possess three Thousand Vine Flowers, which prompted me to rush here from Yinshan Pass. I do indeed have a Spirit-Calming Pill on hand. Its medicinal potency is intact without the slightest loss, and I am willing to trade it with you. Would you be agreeable?" The burly cultivator nodded repeatedly. "I am, I am..." As he spoke, he took the initiative to bring out the three Thousand Vine Flowers and placed them in the center of the table for all to see. Inside the jade box lay three plump blossoms. Though plucked, they remained remarkably vibrant. The gazes of the others were also drawn to the Thousand Vine Flowers. At this point, someone spoke to the burly cultivator, attempting to offer other items in exchange for the Thousand Vine Flowers, but the burly man turned them all down. "Aside from spirit herbs that nurture the soul, I need nothing else!" Seeing this, the female cultivator did not dare delay any longer. She nodded hurriedly and said, "They are indeed mature Thousand Vine Flowers. Here is my Spirit-Calming Pill; please examine it, Fellow Daoist. If you have no other requests, we can make the trade right now." With that, she also produced a jade bottle, inside of which lay a teardrop-shaped medicinal pellet. The burly cultivator inspected the pill inside the jade bottle with extreme caution. Confirming that it was indeed a Spirit-Calming Pill, he let out a huge breath of relief. Just as he was about to accept, someone suddenly interrupted him. "Hold on!" Seated toward the lower end of the table, a man wearing a wooden mask suddenly spoke up. Ignoring the burly cultivator's murderous glare, he said to the female cultivator, "Fellow Daoist, I am also interested in the Spirit-Calming Pill, and I am willing to offer a top-grade magic tool worth more than the Thousand Vine Flowers. Why not take a look at my magic tool first before making your decision?" As the masked man spoke, he slapped a bronze ring magic tool onto the table, letting everyone examine it. It was indeed a very fine top-grade magic tool! The onlookers had not expected another twist and watched the development with keen interest. The value of a Spirit-Calming Pill was certainly inferior to a top-grade magic tool, but to someone in desperate need, it was priceless. It just so happened that both the burly cultivator and the cloaked man desperately needed this medicine, turning it into a hot commodity. "This..." The female cultivator's tone held a hint of hesitation, seemingly swayed by the top-grade magic tool. Seeing this, the burly cultivator grew frantic, nearly gripping the edge of the table to hoist himself up. "I have magic tools too! Give the Spirit-Calming Pill to me, and I'll give you my magic tools as well!" The burly cultivator hurriedly retrieved several magic tools from his mustard seed bag and told the female cultivator to pick whatever she liked, but they were all high-grade magic tools. With this, the burly cultivator's voice sounded completely different. His previous voice had evidently been disguised; in his agitation, he had slipped into his true voice. This was a normal occurrence, and no one found it strange. Only Qin Sang, upon hearing the burly cultivator's true voice, suddenly narrowed his gaze. Beneath his cloak, his eyes scrutinized the burly man closely, as if trying to see through that mask to discern his true appearance. On Qin Sang's face, a look of strangeness, surprise, and deep bewilderment surfaced. In stark contrast to the burly man's anxiety, the masked man said unhurriedly, "Fellow Daoist, you should think carefully. Spirit herbs with medicinal effects similar to Thousand Vine Flowers are countless, but opportunities to obtain a top-grade magic tool so easily do not come often. Had I not needed the Spirit-Calming Pill, I wouldn't have been willing to make a losing trade either." The female cultivator pondered for a moment, then cupped her hands toward the masked man and said with a slight apology, "I appreciate your generous offer, Fellow Daoist. But while a top-grade magic tool is wonderful, the Thousand Vine Flowers are of great use to my cultivation. My apologies!" "What a pity." The masked man shook his head lightly. Instead of raising his bid or pressing further, he put his magic tool away. The female cultivator turned her gaze back to the burly man. "Being able to trade the Spirit-Calming Pill for the Thousand Vine Flowers is already more than enough for me; I dare not covet your magic tools as well. If you have no objections, Fellow Daoist, let us carry out the exchange under Senior's witness." The two handed their respective treasures over to the old man, and each paid him ten percent of their item's value in spirit stones, concluding the trade. Thereafter, the slate was clean, and neither could go back on their word. After twists and turns, the long-sought Spirit-Calming Pill was finally in his hands. Unable to conceal his excitement, the burly cultivator gripped the jade bottle tightly and looked at it again and again. As the transactions continued afterward, even the finest treasures that appeared failed to pique his interest. Had it not been for the secret market's rule forbidding anyone from leaving without permission, he probably would have left long ago.