C7 He Sold Himself to His Mother
The moon dipped below the horizon, and as the sun ascended, a new day began.
Ling Xiao spent an hour in the courtyard, honing his skills in 'Cloud Trace Phantom' and the first two forms of 'Cloud Pushing Palm.' Not resuming his training, he instead took extra care to groom himself before setting out to explore the marketplace.
It was Ling Xiao's inaugural outing since his arrival in this world.
Located at the heart of Meteor City, the market was just a mile from the Ling family's abode—a brisk fifteen-minute walk away.
Never having seen such an extraordinary marketplace, Ling Xiao was immediately enthralled. He strolled with great curiosity, absorbing the vibrant shouts of street vendors and the fascinating array of goods on display. The world seemed enchanting, a playful throwback to ancient times.
Dispelling any remnants of melancholy, Ling Xiao resolved to indulge in some well-deserved relaxation. Although a half-month of continuous cultivation hadn't wearied him, he knew that incessant training without a break was not his preferred method of advancement. He was a staunch advocate for the harmony of work and rest as the best approach to personal development.
Looking around with an almost childlike wonder, Ling Xiao seemed amusingly naive, marveling at each new sight.
He paused in front of a majestic, ancient edifice, its name 'Spirit Herb Hall' carved with robust elegance into the timeworn sign.
Recalling his knowledge, Ling Xiao identified it as Meteor City's exclusive venue for buying and selling Spirit Herbs.
On the Profound Spirit Continent, Spirit Herbs are classified from First to Tenth Rank, with their value increasing exponentially with each tier. A First Rank Spirit Herb starts at over ten gold coins, a Second Rank at over a thousand, and a Third Rank at more than ten thousand. Fourth Rank Herbs command prices over a hundred thousand gold coins and are exceedingly rare. The value of Fifth to Tenth Rank Herbs is incalculable.
Spirit Herb Hall mainly dealt in First and Second Rank Herbs, with those of Third Rank and higher typically auctioned off to fetch higher prices.
In Meteor City, many mercenary bands scour the Wilderness Mountain Range for Spirit Herbs, exchanging their haul at Spirit Herb Hall for gold coins. Finding a Third or even a Fourth Rank Spirit Herb could mean striking it rich. Yet, the Wilderness Mountain Range is rife with Spirit Beasts, and while those of lower ranks on the periphery are relatively harmless, delving deeper into the range where High Rank Spirit Beasts dwell is a deadly endeavor. Thus, the dream of seeking out High Rank Spirit Herbs is impractical, as the quest often ends in death at the claws of powerful Spirit Beasts before the herbs are ever found.
Ling Xiao hesitated for a moment but ultimately made his way into the Spirit Herb Hall. At the entrance, he was greeted by two maids whose beauty was notably striking. They bowed respectfully and welcomed him with a warm, "Welcome." Ling Xiao took a moment to appreciate their grace, thinking to himself, "These ladies are much more attractive than any three-star hotel greeters."
Upon entering, the expansive and refreshing hall was filled with the rich aroma of Spirit Herbs, which instantly revitalized Ling Xiao with just a breath. He started his exploration at the counter to the right, where he found himself enthralled by an array of unusual Spirit Herbs he had never encountered before. His eyes sparkled as he surveyed the First Rank section before moving on to the Second Rank area.
A particular Spirit Herb caught his eye—a nondescript, gray plant. He read the accompanying description: "Second Low Rank Spirit Herb, Cold Star Grass, priced at 1,500 gold coins. A water attribute herb, ideal for medicinal concoctions and pill refining, it aids water attribute martial artists in absorption, enhances profound strength, and facilitates healing." Ling Xiao was taken aback, thinking, "Wow, how can such a plain-looking herb command such a high price?"
His attention then turned to another, more familiar herb. Ling Xiao was impressed, "This Dark Ginseng King must be at least five hundred years old to be categorized as just a Second Low Rank. I wonder if a Spirit Herb needs to be over a thousand years old to reach Second Middle Rank?" He was genuinely intrigued by the thought.
Indeed, Ling Xiao was only partially correct in his assumption. While the age of a Spirit Herb does play a role, its value is chiefly determined by its efficacy—the more potent the effects, the higher its grade.
As Ling Xiao continued to browse, an elderly man at the counter welcomed him with a friendly smile. "Young Master, have you found a Spirit Herb to your liking?"
"Just looking around," Ling Xiao responded, a touch sheepishly.
The elder nodded understandingly, his demeanor showing no sign of annoyance. "Take your time," he encouraged.
Feeling a bit self-conscious about leaving empty-handed after his thorough look around, Ling Xiao was about to exit when the old man unexpectedly offered him a scroll. "This is a complimentary 'Record of Spirit Herbs' from our establishment. Please, take it home and peruse it at your leisure. Should you find a Spirit Herb that meets your needs, feel free to return and make a purchase. And if you happen to come across any high-quality Spirit Herbs, we would be interested in discussing a fair price. You can always count on the Spirit Herb Hall for equitable and reasonable transactions."
Ling Xiao's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he gratefully received the 'Record of Spirit Herbs' and expressed his thanks before leaving the Spirit Herb Hall. With this tome in hand, he was now equipped to acquaint himself with the myriad Spirit Herbs of the Profound Spirit Continent—their types, effects, and appearances. Once he had unlocked all twelve meridians, he would either use the Spirit Herbs to bolster his body and amplify his profound strength for easier advancement or sell them for a tidy profit. In these times, being penniless was not an option, and hunting for Spirit Herbs was certainly a fast track to wealth.
With a sense of satisfaction, Ling Xiao slipped the 'Record of Spirit Herbs' into his pocket and was about to head home when he encountered a crowd blocking the street. His curiosity piqued, he wove through the onlookers.
In the midst of the crowd, a young woman in simple attire knelt on the ground, her long hair shrouding her face. Judging by her stature, she couldn't have been more than fifteen or sixteen. Around her neck hung a sign with bold, crimson letters declaring, "Selling myself to bury my mother." In Meteor City, where most citizens were lucky to have a full meal and starvation was a grim reality for many, the sight of this girl sacrificing her freedom for her mother's burial was a poignant, yet not uncommon, scene.
"Tsk, tsk, this young lady has quite the figure. She'd serve well as a personal maid if I bought her," a corpulent businessman remarked, ogling the girl with a predatory gaze.
"Perhaps, but what about the risk of bad luck? I wouldn't want my fortunes to decline because I brought her home. That would be quite the predicament," a middle-aged man in a lavish robe added, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.