The market district dedicated to cultivators and valuable goods was less chaotic but more intense than the outer areas. Stalls displayed shimmering beast cores, strange herbs emitting faint Qi, stacks of tanned hides, and even some crude weapons and armor. Cultivators of varying levels browsed the wares, their eyes sharp, their demeanors often wary or arrogant. Tiānháo, keeping his hood up and his 3rd Level Body Refinement aura suppressed, blended in as just another low-level cultivator hoping to make a trade.
He first sought out a reputable-looking trading house, one with guards posted outside and a steady stream of customers – signs of stability and fair dealing, or at least, dealing that wasn't outright robbery. Inside, he approached a counter managed by a shrewd-looking middle-aged man. Without unnecessary words, Tiānháo presented his primary goods: the peak Level 2 Ironhide Boar core and tusks, and the peak Level 2 Mist Panther core and pelt. 03 He deliberately held back the Level 3 Venomous Mist Spider core and the Blood Ginseng, knowing those were far too valuable and attention-grabbing to trade openly here.
The merchant's eyes widened slightly as he examined the quality of the cores and materials. Peak Level 2 cores, especially from formidable beasts like the Ironhide Boar and Mist Panther, were uncommon finds for lone cultivators presumed to be low-level. He quoted a price in spirit stones. Tiānháo, drawing on Alex Chen's negotiation experiences and his own assessment of the items' value based on the Bead's fragmented knowledge, countered calmly, pointing out the purity of the cores and the near-perfect condition of the pelt and tusks. After a brief, professional haggle, they settled on a price slightly higher than the initial offer – a respectable sum of spirit stones that significantly boosted Tiānháo's meager funds.
With spirit stones in hand, his next stop was the apothecary section of the market. He needed several supplementary ingredients for the Meridian Opening Pill formula provided by the Bead, herbs meant to stabilize the potent energy of the main ingredient (the Blood Ginseng) and protect the meridians during the opening process. He visited several stalls, carefully examining the herbs offered, comparing quality and prices, ensuring they matched the descriptions in his mind. He purchased the required amounts of Spirit Calming Flower, Seven Star Grass, and Iron Bone Root Powder, spending a portion of his newly acquired spirit stones.
His final task was acquiring a cauldron. He wasn't an alchemist yet, and the Meridian Opening Pill, while crucial, was relatively simple according to the Bead's formula, primarily focused on refining and merging the energies of the ingredients rather than complex transformations. He didn't need an expensive, specialized alchemy cauldron. He found a stall selling basic smithing and household goods and purchased a sturdy, medium-sized iron cauldron with a thick base and a tight-fitting lid – durable enough to withstand Qi infusion and heat, yet cheap enough not to attract undue attention. It was heavy and awkward to carry, but essential.
After stowing the herbs carefully and securing the cauldron, Tiānháo took stock. He had successfully sold his most valuable, yet explainable, spoils and acquired all the necessary supplementary ingredients and the tool for his refinement. He still had a modest pouch of spirit stones remaining – enough for emergencies or perhaps some basic supplies later. Satisfied with his efficient transactions and eager to find a place to begin the pill refinement, he decided against lingering in the town any longer than necessary. He turned, navigating through the throng, heading towards the town gate he had entered not long ago, ready to leave Maplewood and its potential complications behind.