Lin Xuan suggested shifting focus to hunting. Hunting demonic beasts could still generate missions.
Lin Xia and Lin Dong gladly agreed. Real combat offered the most effective training.
From then on, the three regularly ventured into the back mountain.
With Chi Ling's talent for finding herbs, Lin Xuan often used hunting as an excuse to explore the depths alone.
The back mountain was sparsely populated and rich in spiritual herbs.
Each trip yielded something: mostly Rank 1 or 2 herbs, occasionally Rank 3 or 4. Rank 5 herbs, however, were extremely rare, prized by Earth Origin and Heaven Origin Realm experts.
"No matter how many below Rank 3, they're of limited help to me," Lin Xuan sighed silently.
Relying solely on herbs was slower than doing missions.
Missions rewarded him generously for completing tasks, whereas wandering the forest might yield nothing.
Training new martial arts while gaining rewards was far more efficient.
After more than two months, the four had become very close, especially Lin Xuan and Qing Tan.
During this time, he had helped her overcome three cold energy attacks.
After hunting, they often had dinner together in Lin Xuan's courtyard.
"Are you not tired or bored of cultivating every day?" Qing Tan asked after one meal. "Why don't we go out for a walk?"
"End of the month is coming, and the Qingyang Town trade fair will be lively.
How about we go shopping too?" Her clear eyes glimmered as she looked at Lin Xuan and the others.
Lin Xia's eyes lit up. "I haven't been there for a long time. Haven't bought new clothes for over two months!"
"The hunting results were good, and we've saved plenty of gold and silver.
Time to spend some!" Lin Xuan explained. The prey they brought back had been traded with the family, adding to their savings.
Lin Dong also considered the fair. High-grade spiritual herbs could accelerate cultivation, and his Stone Talisman could extract pills from them.
"I'll go see too. Brother Lin Xuan, you coming?" Lin Dong asked. Qing Tan and Lin Xia looked expectantly.
"Sure, I haven't been out for a long time either," Lin Xuan agreed with a smile.
Life had grown peaceful. Exchanges and hunting yielded fewer missions, and rewards had become ordinary.
It was time to step out, add excitement, and perhaps find more missions.
Qing Tan leapt up happily, her eyes like crescents, sparkling with joy.
The next day, the four dressed carefully and went to the trade fair.
The fair, organized jointly by major businesses in Qingyang Town, was bustling. Its popularity made it crowded, but girls seemed naturally drawn to the lively streets.
Qing Tan and Lin Xia's excitement was obvious. Qing Tan's flushed, delicate face and crisp laughter drew many glances, her picturesque features admired by onlookers.
They shopped for clothes, bedding, and room decorations, carefully replenishing Lin Xuan's supplies.
Soon, they reached a grand building at the end of the street. High-end shops from the Lei and Xie families, Mad Blade Martial Hall, and even the Lin family were present.
Lin Xuan and Lin Dong were less interested in ordinary shopping. Their minds were on spiritual herbs and underground trades.
"I'll check over there and find you later," Lin Dong said, slipping into the crowd to sell Stone Talisman spiritual liquid and buy high-grade herbs.
Lin Xuan, too, wanted herbs. He donned a black robe and entered a hidden trading venue.
[Mission: Complete an underground transaction. Reward: Intermediate Cosmos Sack.]
"Another Cosmos Sack, perfect!" Lin Xuan said. The intermediate Cosmos Sack could hold far more than the low-level ones he had before.
Inside, he presented pills refined from first- and second-grade herbs.....effective for warriors below the sixth level of Body Tempering.
The exchange's appraiser, an old man, checked the pills.
The fragrance and luster immediately drew his admiration.
"These pills are the best among low-grade pills. Only a skilled alchemist could refine them," the old man said.
Lin Xuan smiled under the black robe. "Since I'm concealing my identity, trade quickly. Otherwise, I'll go elsewhere."
The old man, startled, agreed immediately. Lin Xuan exchanged first-grade pills for fifteen third-grade spiritual herbs, and later second-grade pills for two fourth-grade herbs.
Satisfied with his haul, Lin Xuan found a secluded spot, removed his robe, and returned to Lin Xia and Qing Tan.
Near the exit, he met Lin Dong, who had also completed his transactions.
The two shared a knowing glance. Ever since Lin Xuan had helped Qing Tan with her cold energy,
Lin Dong had suspected he held secrets. Just like the Stone Talisman, Lin Xuan clearly wished to keep some things hidden.
Together, they returned to the shopping area, side by side.
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