Chapter 454 - 408: Startling Change (Part 1)

Chapter 454: Chapter 408: Startling Change (Part 1)

The auction ended, and the cultivators dispersed. Those who had successfully bid on treasures remained to complete their transactions.

’A whole year of hard work, and I’m back to square one in a single day.’

Looking at the few remaining Spirit Coins and merit tickets in his storage bag, Zhao Lin sighed to himself. To get this Purifying Spirit Pill, he had spent nearly his entire fortune.

’Looks like I’ll have to tighten my belt until the end of the year.’

But on second thought, he remembered that he had obtained the knowledge for a Small Tai Chi Array—worth over ten thousand in both Spirit Stones and merit—for free, and his heart eased.

After leaving the auction house, Zhao Lin didn’t leave right away. Instead, he waited for Chu Hongtian in front of the main entrance.

’Since we ran into each other, it’s only right that I say hello.’

A moment later, Chu Hongtian came out. Zhao Lin stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Congratulations, Island Master Chu, on winning the Small Tai Chi Array."

"Congratulations to you as well. Didn’t you also get a Purifying Spirit Pill?"

Chu Hongtian seemed to be in a good mood. He stroked his beard, sizing up Zhao Lin. "No wonder you didn’t accept my invitation. So you’ve become a Chief Shopkeeper. That position was arranged by Elder Lu, wasn’t it?"

’As expected of a Purple Mansion cultivator,’ Zhao Lin thought. ’His mind is so sharp he figured it out instantly.’ He replied, "You’ve hit the nail on the head, Island Master Chu."

Chu Hongtian nodded, a hint of regret in his voice. "I had wanted to recruit you to Red Tail Island, but I didn’t expect Elder Lu to get to you first."

He paused for a moment, then said, "My previous offer still stands. Young friend, if you are willing to come to Red Tail Island, whether to join the resident cultivators or to carry out missions, I would welcome you with open arms."

Facing the enthusiastic invitation from a Purple Mansion cultivator, Zhao Lin did not dare to be dismissive. He said in a serious tone, "I am truly unworthy of the high regard you have for me, Island Master Chu."

"It’s just that my cultivation is limited, and my grasp of the Daoist arts is still lacking. Once I have made some progress in my practice, I will definitely make my way to Red Tail Island!"

"Good! Then it’s a deal!"

Chu Hongtian laughed heartily and strode away.

Zhao Lin stood there, thinking for a moment. ’The situation on Red Tail Island probably isn’t very optimistic. Otherwise, a powerful Island Master wouldn’t lower himself to invite me time and time again.’

’But the more it’s like this, the more dangerous it must be. It’s better to play it safe for now and only go to carry out missions when I’m confident.’

Back on Ding’an Street, as he passed by the entrance to Linglong Pavilion, Zhao Lin suddenly remembered something.

The Spirit Cultivation Map had captured a new Array. The next step was to craft it, which required purchasing an Array Plate, array flags, and other materials.

Although Array theory was its own distinct art, the related Magical Artifacts were made by Artifact Refiners, and Linglong Pavilion, which specialized in selling all sorts of magical treasures and Magical Artifacts, happened to have them in stock.

The clerk at Linglong Pavilion was startled for a moment when he saw Zhao Lin walk in. "Shopkeeper Zhao," he said, and was about to go find Liu Chaoyuan.

"Hold on."

Zhao Lin stopped the clerk. "I’m here to buy something, not to see your shopkeeper."

The clerk recovered and asked, "What would you like to buy, Shopkeeper Zhao?"

"An Array Plate, array flags, and an Array Pattern brush."

An array pattern knife was used to carve Array Patterns on array stones, while an Array Pattern brush was used to draw on array flags.

"This way, please."

The clerk led Zhao Lin to a shelf deeper inside the store. Pointing to the various styles of array-making tools, he said, "They’re all here. I wonder, which type of Array Plate are you looking for, Shopkeeper Zhao?"

"I know what I’m looking for."

Zhao Lin replied casually, quickly selecting an Array Plate and array flags identical to those for the Small Tai Chi Array, as well as an Array Pattern brush.

He deliberately bought two extra array flags, both as a precaution against errors in drawing and to cover his tracks.

"How much?"

Zhao Lin asked.

"The Array Plate is one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine Spirit Coins."

"The array flags are two hundred and ninety-nine Spirit Coins each."

"The Array Pattern brush is four hundred and ninety-nine Spirit Coins, and it comes with a complimentary box of Chen Dan Ink," the clerk answered quickly.

Zhao Lin almost laughed when he heard this. ’This pricing strategy was clearly copied from Golden Core Hall.’

’Liu Chaoyuan might pick fights and bicker with me all day, but he sure doesn’t hesitate to steal my business strategies.’

He quickly calculated in his head. The total price for the items was over four thousand Spirit Coins. He said, "We’re neighbors. Can you give me a little discount?"

Just as the clerk was about to reply, an old voice sounded from the side. "You’re so rich you can even afford a Purifying Spirit Pill. Why do you need a discount?"

Zhao Lin didn’t even need to look to know it was Liu Chaoyuan. He smiled and said, "It’s precisely because I bought the Purifying Spirit Pill that I’m broke now. How about a discount, Shopkeeper Liu?"

Liu Chaoyuan snorted. "Fine. I’ll give you ten percent off."

Although he and Zhao Lin appeared to be at odds, it was merely the classic rivalry between peers in the same trade; there was no real enmity between them.

Besides, Liu Chaoyuan had learned quite a few things from Zhao Lin and applied them to his own shop with demonstrable success.

After interacting with him for a while, he had discovered that Zhao Lin was easy-going, considerate of his subordinates, and lacked the common flaws of most merchants. As a result, his attitude had gradually softened.

Zhao Lin cupped his hands and smiled. "Thank you, Shopkeeper Liu."

Liu Chaoyuan waved his hand. "Don’t mention it. By the way, what are you buying an Array Plate for?"

Zhao Lin said, "The art I cultivate is Arrays. I have some free time and wanted to practice a bit, lest my skills get rusty from disuse."

"You certainly seem to have a lot of free time," Liu Chaoyuan said, taking the opportunity to get a small jab in at Zhao Lin.

Zhao Lin didn’t mind. He smiled and said, "See you later, Shopkeeper Liu."

...

「Golden Core Hall. Bedroom.」

Zhao Lin held a Spirit Stone in each hand. In his sea of consciousness, the Spirit Cultivation Map flickered as it rapidly absorbed the Spiritual Qi from within the stones.

The Spirit Stones quickly dimmed. A moment later, with a SHHH sound, they crumbled into dust.

At the same time, a memory of how to draw the Array Patterns flooded into his mind.

In the ninth square of the Spirit Cultivation Map, a chrysanthemum with sixty-four petals glowed as red as blood.

The Array Patterns for the Small Tai Chi Array were completely analyzed!

Zhao Lin had initially been worried. The Small Tai Chi Array had a total of sixty-four Array Patterns and was much more complex than the Sealing Spirit Array, so he thought it might require more Spirit Stones to analyze.

But after absorbing the Spirit Stones, he discovered that analyzing one Array Pattern only required sixteen Spirit Stones. By that calculation, the entire Array would still require a total of one thousand and twenty-four Spirit Stones.