The Great Zhou’s monopoly on cultivation resources was extremely tight, but Low-Tier Spiritual Objects for Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivators could still be found circulating in the official Marketplaces.
Chu Bai already had a plan.
Earth Treasures capable of producing Spiritual Qi over long periods were often priceless. Even with his current wealth, he likely couldn’t afford one. However, he could start by buying some Low-Tier Spiritual Objects as a temporary substitute.
These Low-Tier Spiritual Objects were mostly immature herbs, ores, or remnant materials that had been steeped in Spiritual Qi.
While they wouldn’t last forever, they would revert to mortal objects once their Spiritual Mechanism was depleted. But with the boost from an Array, they would be enough to supply Chu Bai’s needs during his secluded cultivation for a short while.
’At this rate, I’m afraid most of my monthly salary will be poured into this bottomless pit of a Five Elements cycle.’
Chu Bai shook his head in resignation.
A monthly salary of one hundred taels of silver was an astronomical sum to a Mortal, but to a Cultivator pursuing Five Elements Perfection, it was merely the basic expense needed to maintain his cultivation speed.
However, cultivation was, at its core, a path of seeking the Dao. Since the foundational environment was already in place, the subsequent cost of resources was an essential investment.
After leaving Qingfeng Courtyard, Chu Bai skillfully navigated several familiar streets, arriving at the largest and most established Marketplace in Anping County.
In the center of the street, a magnificent three-story building rose from the ground, its presence imposing. It was ornately decorated, with a large, gilded plaque bearing the name "Treasure Pavilion."
This was a property of the city’s noble Wang Family.
The current County Magistrate of Anping County, Lord Wang, hailed from this very family. With that connection, the Treasure Pavilion held a near-monopoly on almost thirty percent of the city’s trade in Spiritual Objects.
"Lord Chu! What brings you here in person today?"
The moment Chu Bai stepped through the door, a sharp-eyed shop assistant recognized the captain of the Demon-slaying Team, whose fame had recently spread throughout Anping, and quickly trotted over to greet him.
Back when Chu Bai was a Patrol Banner Inspector, he often came here to buy Spirit Rice and Essence Strengthening Pills to maintain the high-intensity cultivation brought on by his [Nourishing and Exquisite] constitution. Though not a major patron who threw money around, he was hardly an unfamiliar face.
The shop assistant’s attitude was clearly far more respectful than it would be toward an ordinary Cultivator—everyone knew that Lord Chu was now a Regular Ninth Grade Demon Slaying Officer who wielded real power. Who would dare treat him with disrespect?
"Is Shopkeeper Liu in? I need to find some materials," Chu Bai said with a calm expression, giving a slight nod.
"He is, he is! Shopkeeper, Lord Chu is here!"
The assistant yelled at the top of his lungs. A moment later, a slightly stout, middle-aged Steward with a face wreathed in smiles strode out briskly from the back hall.
Upon seeing Chu Bai, Shopkeeper Liu clasped his hands in a salute, not daring to show the slightest neglect. "Lord Chu, your grand arrival brings true splendor to the Treasure Pavilion."
"My Lord, please come to the private room on the second floor. Whatever you require, you need only say the word."
Once seated, Chu Bai got straight to the point and stated his reason for coming.
"I need to find some Spiritual Objects that can produce Water and Earth Qi. I don’t require the highest quality, but their Spiritual Mechanism must be stable, and ideally, they should last for several months."
Upon hearing this, a thoughtful look entered Shopkeeper Liu’s eyes. After a moment, he clapped his hands and smiled. "My Lord, your request is quite timely. A few days ago, we excavated a batch of ’Half-Pond Mud’ from near a Spiritual Acupoint downstream on the Sanmu River. It should be exactly what you need."
Before long, two shop assistants carried in a small, sealed wooden box.
Shopkeeper Liu carefully lifted a corner of the lid. An aroma blending damp water vapor and the rich fragrance of soil immediately filled the private room.
The box was filled with a sludge, viscous as paste, that glistened with a deep gray sheen. Faint motes of Spiritual Light could be seen swirling within it.
"This [Half-Pond Mud] is a Spirit Soil formed over many years, washed by the Sanmu River Water Vein and fused with the turbid qi of the Earth Vein.
"While it can’t produce that pure, flawless nature’s spiritual energy, it is the perfect resource for a Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivator looking to supplement their Five Elements or for daily breathing exercises," Shopkeeper Liu explained.
Chu Bai extended a fingertip, sweeping his Divine Thought through the mud.
’It’s just as Lii Feng said; this type of Spiritual Object is a consumable.’
’The essence of Water and Earth it contains is incredibly dense, making it a perfect catalyst to place in the core of the Five Elements Gathering Spirit Array. Moreover, its Spiritual Qi is gentle and extremely easy to absorb.’
"What’s the price?" Chu Bai asked.
"This stuff is difficult to excavate, and its supply is highly unstable. If we were selling to Loose Cultivators, it would be at least twenty-three taels of silver per catty.
"But Lord Chu is a regular patron here, and a valued guest from the Division, so I’ll give you a fair price—twenty taels of silver per catty. What do you think, my Lord?"
’One catty of Spirit Soil... I’ll have to test it to see how long it lasts under the constant drain from the Spirit Gathering Array.’
Chu Bai tapped the table. "Fine. Give me three catties to start. From now on, set aside a portion for me each month. I’ll send someone to pick it up regularly."
"You got it! A decisive man, my Lord!" Shopkeeper Liu beamed, his eyes disappearing into his smiling face.

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