Flipping through the auction house's catalog, Chen Xiao found many things he currently lacked.
For instance, healing medicine for emergencies.
Even a first-grade Recovery Pill had a starting bid of fifteen hundred gold coins per bottle.
Pills to restore Dou Qi.
A first-grade Spring Return Pill started at eighteen hundred per bottle.
Pills to increase cultivation speed.
Even the most basic Amplification Pill was second-grade, with a price reaching two thousand.
A low-grade Storage Ring had a starting bid of fifty thousand, and to actually acquire one, the price would likely double.
Adding it all up, just a basic setup would require over a hundred thousand gold coins.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiao felt a headache coming on.
He was short on money, very short!
Originally, he had planned to earn some extra income during his free time and then buy medicine to aid his cultivation.
But now, it seemed he had thought too simply.
In Wu Tan City, a regular Dou Zhe didn't have many ways to earn extra money, mostly helping escort goods for the major families. This was time-consuming and the pay was pitifully low.
It was precisely because of this that most rogue Dou Zhe took on mercenary identities and ventured into the Magical Beast Mountain Range from time to time. Although it was dangerous, if they were lucky, one trip could sustain them for three years.
"Does Brother Chen Xiao see anything he likes?"
Seeing Chen Xiao finish flipping through the catalog, Xun'er asked softly.
They had been in the venue for almost an hour, and people were continuously entering, making it less convenient to talk.
Chen Xiao shook his head slightly, placed the catalog back in its original position, and stood up, signaling Xun'er to go outside before talking further.
Xun'er smiled lightly and nodded, getting up to follow without any hesitation.
These so-called auction items were not worth a second glance to her. Today, she was simply accompanying Chen Xiao for a change of pace.
Under the puzzled gaze of the guards, the two walked out of the auction house. Chen Xiao then ducked into a shop and bought a large black robe for future use.
"Xun'er, what level of strength do you think is needed to move freely in the outer areas of the Magical Beast Mountain Range?" Walking side by side on the street, Chen Xiao casually brought up a topic.
The Magical Beast Mountain Range was very close to Wu Tan City.
Its outline could even be seen from the Xiao Family's Back Mountain.
After reading the auction house's catalog, Chen Xiao realized a problem: relying on conventional channels, it was basically impossible to earn enough resources to maintain his daily cultivation.
Therefore, he had to think of other ideas!
Coincidentally, Chen Xiao knew of a cave in the Magical Beast Mountain Range that could make him instantly rich. The wealth within would be more than enough to sustain his early cultivation.
However, based on memory, Chen Xiao only knew the general information about the cave. It would take some time to find it.
"Does Brother Chen Xiao want to go to the Magical Beast Mountain Range for training? In Xun'er's opinion, it's still a bit too early. There are many mercenaries in Wu Tan City who frequently go to the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Dou Zhe level mercenaries basically come back with some injuries every time. It's said they don't even act alone, always forming teams, but even so, there are still casualties. Based on this, perhaps the Dou Shi level would be safer."
Xun'er analyzed it in a proper manner, and her conclusion was similar to Chen Xiao's estimation.
Suppressing his restlessness with a sigh, and losing the desire to continue strolling, the two returned directly to the Xiao Family and temporarily parted ways.
Watching Chen Xiao walk towards the side courtyard, a hint of doubt flashed in Xun'er's eyes.
"Elder Ling, has Brother Chen Xiao already cultivated a technique and converted his Dou Qi?"
Xun'er's voice was very low, like she was talking to herself.
However, she believed that the person in the dark could definitely hear her.
Indeed, a voice transmission soon entered her ear.
"Miss's guess is correct, and this old servant can feel that the technique he cultivates is not of low grade, slightly higher than the Xiao Family's Furious Lion Vajra."
Hearing this, Xun'er was instantly taken aback.
The Xiao Family's Furious Lion Vajra was renowned in Wu Tan City, ranked as Profound Mid-Rank.
Since Chen Xiao's technique was even better, the answer was obvious.
Profound High-Rank technique!
Ling Ying and Xiao Xun'er thought they knew Chen Xiao inside and out, but they couldn't figure out where he got this technique from.
...
Hardship forces growth, desire provides motivation.
After a trip to the Mitre Auction House, Chen Xiao became even more focused on cultivation, even replacing sleep time with cultivation.
Although sleep was not essential for cultivators, maintaining consciousness for a long time was still a mental burden.
However, Chen Xiao maintained this state for a full year.
Xiao Family Back Mountain.
Apart from the occasional Xiao Family disciples who came to bathe in the pool, it was mostly quiet and deserted here.
Xiao Yan, who hadn't yet fallen from his peak, also didn't frequent this place.
This made it convenient for Chen Xiao's daily cultivation. By now, he was already an Eight Star Dou Zhe, and even his Yan Return Strike had reached the intermediate realm, capable of reflecting 30% of an enemy's attack power!
Yet, despite such a huge change, no one in the entire Xiao Family, except for Xiao Xun'er and Ling Ying, knew about it.
It sounded quite unbelievable, but it was the truth.
The reason for this was probably because Chen Xiao's social interactions were too simple.
Even the few guards who often saw Chen Xiao only felt that he was more energetic. They would never have imagined that the child they had watched grow up had already, unknowingly, surpassed them.
After practicing the Yan Return Strike, which he was already familiar with down to his bones, Chen Xiao retracted his fists and stood still.
"Eight Star Dou Zhe, and Yan Return Strike has reached the intermediate level. Now I should have some ability to protect myself against a One Star Dou Shi!"
(Theoretically, only.)
After all, his practical combat experience was zero.
Looking at the outline of the Magical Beast Mountain Range under the moonlight, Chen Xiao had already made up his mind. Immediately, he left without looking back.
Returning from the Back Mountain, when passing by the back of Xiao Xun'er's courtyard, Chen Xiao hesitated for a moment, but still went to say goodbye to Xiao Xun'er.
"Is Brother Chen Xiao planning to go to the Magical Beast Mountain Range?"
Before Chen Xiao even spoke, Xun'er had already guessed from his expression.
In the entire Xiao Family, only she knew Chen Xiao's plan.
"Blindly cultivating is not advisable. I'll go for some simple training to avoid becoming a pathetic stepping stone when fighting others in the future. But it shouldn't be too long."
The girl nodded slightly, "Then Xun'er wishes Brother Chen Xiao a fruitful return."
Chen Xiao smiled and nodded, not saying anything more.
The Magical Beast Mountain Range wasn't far. If everything went smoothly, he could be back in ten days or so. There was no need to make it seem like a life-and-death separation.
After leaving Xun'er, Chen Xiao went to find the Elder who usually assigned him tasks and explained that he would be leaving for a few days.
With everything arranged, Chen Xiao returned to his residence and took out the few hundred gold coins left under his bed.
In the past year, he had spent over two thousand gold coins to purchase an Amplification Pill to aid his cultivation, as well as a map.
After simply packing his bags, Chen Xiao washed up and did not continue his high-intensity training.
Tonight, he would conserve his energy!
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