Li Ling did not dare to wear the ring openly, so he pocketed both of them and moved the contents of one into the other. The one from Tan Guwan had a Dark Backed Rhino corpse and a few others, while Wu Ke's was even richer, with an eighth-level Tanned Leopard within.
Li Ling moved the carcasses to Wu Ke's spirit ring and kept the Tan Guwan ring for himself, planning to use it for personal matters while the other one would be disposed of, along with the carcasses within, thereby increasing his funds for purchasing better techniques and mantras.
Doing away with both, Li Ling still held his various personal affectations on his body in the natural way to avoid suspicion. He then traveled back to the market encampment rapidly, stopping only to hunt a few low-level Qi Refinement beasts to show as his "spoils."
When he arrived at the market encampment, he saw that it was as active as ever, but things revolving around him had changed. Where at first many glanced at him and looked away, now many gave him wary looks with a slightly wide berth, especially those in the early stage of Qi Refinement who made up the majority.
At the fourth level of Qi Refinement and so young, many assumed Li Ling would have a future in the late stage and above, so it was not a good idea to offend him at this time.
When he walked to his tent and entered, Li Ling spent some time pretending to rest and recuperate after a hunt, then packed up the tent itself and headed towards the requisition store.
On his way there, he encountered Dong Bo who was still scanning those passing by to see who needed introduction, and was startled when he saw Li Ling. While he encountered many people in his day-to-day business, that did not hamper his memory or abilities of recognition, because that was a key aspect for one who did what he did.
So even if Li Ling was merely another young early Qi Refinement fellow he introduced to the encampment mechanics two days ago, he still quite remembered this worldly-wise fellow who understood the hidden aspects of the encampment rules upon first explanation.
Dong Bo shook his head to shake off his shock and hesitated for a bit. Eventually, seeing that Li Ling was about to "get away," he smiled and stepped forward, catching up to him quite easily.
"Junior Brother Li, was it? It's great to see you back so soon, how did your hunt go?" Dong Bo asked in a kindly manner.
Li Ling actually stopped and smiled at Dong Bo, feeling that it was time to begin the fishing. "My hunt was excellent as you can see."
Seeing that Li Ling was gesturing to the bunch of low-level Qi Refinement demon beasts tied together, Dong Bo chuckled. "A fine haul indeed. Does Junior Brother wish to take it out of the market encampments or to offload at the store?"
"Offloading, naturally. I still remember the rules Senior Brother Dong Bo shared with me the other day," Li Ling answered as he began walking again.
Dong Bo hummed. "Then let me assist you, I know the vendor of the store, Old Fang, and can get you a better deal."
Li Ling's eyes lit up. "Oh, is that possible? Then I thank Senior Brother Dong Bo for the assistance!"
"Not a problem, not a problem, consider it me making a friend today," Dong Bo replied, his eyes scanning Li Ling from head to toe subtly.
The two continued to chat as they headed to the storefront, with Dong Bo asking questions about Li Ling's experience without referencing his cultivation at all. While listening, he either exclaimed or praised Li Ling for his actions during the obviously made-up story, which actually seemed plausible given his presumed situation.
When they arrived, the Requisition Store was naturally busy as carcasses were brought in by many low-level Qi Refinement cultivators, the highest here being at level 5. Li Ling realized that even after reaching the middle grade of Qi Refinement, one could not skirt the Requisition Store still.
Probably only those at the late stage could do so based on their own merits.
At the Requisition Store, there was a manager who stood outside while those below him received the carcasses, sorted them, registered them and packed them. This person was at the sixth level of Qi Refinement like Dong Bo, with a portly frame that made it seem like the majority of the meat here was stuffed into his belly… which may not be too far from the truth.
He specially greeted the Qi Refinement level 5 fellow because even if that person feared the upper echelon of the market encampment, he was still someone that he, the manager, had to treat well as they were in the same micro stage.
After dealing with him, the manager turned and saw Dong Bo coming over while smiling knowingly, making some hand signals to him. This caused the manager to pause with surprise as his gaze inevitably fell on Li Ling who was beside his friend.
"Hahaha, Old Fang, you are just as rotund as ever!" Dong Bo greeted with a friendly laugh, moving to hug the fellow.
Manager Fang suppressed his curiosity and returned the hug, cursing loudly with a laugh. "Motherfucker Dong Bo, how are you still alive? Still greasing asses up the chain?"
While they were in each other's embrace, Dong Bo whispered some things to Manager Fang that made a strange light glint in his eyes, but he did well not to show anything suspicious, simply releasing the hug normally.
"What have you come here for? Aren't you usually busy?" Manager Fang asked with puzzlement.
Dong Bo turned to Li Ling, who had been smiling casually at the entire scene, feeling amused inside. Dong Bo did not notice Li Ling's derision and simply continued by saying, "This is Junior Brother Li who had a significant harvest in the hunting grounds and wants to sell at your shop."
Manager Fang had time to look at Li Ling, but he did not show much enthusiasm, only nodding slightly. He then returned his focus to his friend with a still puzzled look. "Still, such a thing should not be enough to bring you here? Just for some discounts and favors?"
Dong Bo smiled widely, satisfied with the setup from his friend. He then turned to Li Ling with a strange smile that was barely able to conceal the mocking within. "Well, it's also because two days ago, when Junior Brother Li came to me, he was only at the second level of Qi Refinement. Now, he returned victorious with a significant catch and a cultivation at the fourth level, entering the mid stage of Qi Refinement!"
Manager Fang gasped with shock, exaggeratedly turned to Li Ling and scrutinized him up and down. "This fellow? Is that so? Then, if that's the case, that is a significant leap! May I ask how you managed to achieve this, fellow cultivator?"