Since we need to spend money, we must have money first.
Lu Qian explained: "The expenses for food, accommodation, elixirs, and other items these days are all Sister's private funds, which won't last long. Although we want to revive the mountain gate, we must distinguish between public and private. These collective expenses should naturally be covered by the sect."
Jiang Qingfeng was momentarily stunned, glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, and then asked in a low voice: "The sect? Junior brother, are you saying we should use the secret treasure?"
Lu Qian smiled: "Exactly, reviving the sect without spirit stones is just daydreaming. A secret treasure is only valuable when used; if left unused, it's just a few rocks. Later, I'll exchange the spirit stones and Sister, you should calculate the expenses for this period, and I'll reimburse you."
Such words couldn't have come from the old Lu Qian. Jiang Qingfeng couldn't help but scrutinize Lu Qian from head to toe, but indeed, he was still the junior brother she knew.
But why, in just a few days, have his words and actions, intelligence, and demeanor undergone a complete transformation?
The item Lu Qian planned to use was the spirit crystal from the secret treasure. Spirit crystals are extremely rare, condensed forms of a spirit stone vein, and one spirit crystal, based on the amount of spiritual energy stored within, is roughly equivalent to a thousand spirit stones.
However, when used in artifact refining, alchemy, or talisman making, one spirit crystal can instantly release a large amount of spiritual energy, proving more beneficial than a thousand spirit stones for manufacturing. Therefore, in transactions, one spirit crystal can often exchange for several extra spirit stones.
Yet, he didn't immediately go for the exchange; instead, he found a robe shop, smiling: "Before exchanging for spirit stones, let's first cloak ourselves in a new guise."
Due to their journey of fleeing and fighting, their change of clothes was long exhausted, and now their garments were already dirty and torn.
Upon entering the shop, Lu Qian grumbled to Qingfeng in a thick voice: "Damn it, I said I wouldn't come for experience, but the master insisted I venture out. Now look, didn't catch anyone, just got myself dirty and smelly."
Turning his head, he yelled at the shop assistants: "What are you standing there for! Bring out your finest clothes, I'm not short of money!"
The shop assistants, seeing the three with shabby clothes at first, hesitated to serve them. Upon hearing Lu Qian's words, they realized a big client had arrived and promptly came up with smiles, almost wagging their tails in the process.
After leaving the shop, the group was renewed from head to toe.
Lu Qian wore a raven-black narrow-sleeve long gown, with a crane pattern embroidered in silver thread on the chest, giving him a clean and refined look. Jiang Qingfeng wore a narrow-sleeved jacket paired with a light cyan skirt, appearing particularly delicate and beautiful. Taotao donned a chest-high blouse skirt, looking not only adorable but also somewhat noble.
They also bought several additional sets of clothes to store in their storage pouch. This splurge cost five spirit stones. Although Lu Qian was the one spending, Jiang Qingfeng felt heartache, thinking that although the materials were luxurious and beautiful, they were not magical artifacts and didn't warrant such expenditure.
"Moreover, aren't we too conspicuous dressed like this?"
"Sister, today we are not only exchanging spirit stones but spending a large amount too. Consider, between a fallen loose cultivator spending lavishly and a noble family member throwing money around, which raises more suspicion? Clothes make the man and saddle makes the horse. Dressed like this, we can claim to be disciples of renowned sects, and when trading rare items, it won't arouse suspicion. Of course, parading is improper; once we're done shopping, we'll change back to ordinary clothes at the inn."
This reasoning made Jiang Qingfeng secretly nod. Lu Qian inquired with a passerby for directions, then led the two forward.
Before long, they stood before a small three-story building. The building was adorned with flying eaves and brackets, lanterns hung high, and the golden signboard gleamed brightly, exuding grandeur. Inside, numerous guests filled the air with chatter.
This was the largest Artifact Refining Merchant House in the area.
This medium-sized marketplace had a somewhat primitive business model, with various shops dealing in their respective types, conducting both sales and purchases, without a pawnshop, exchange office, or auction house.
Hence, exchanging spirit crystals could only be done directly at merchant houses for artifact refining, alchemy, talisman making, etc. And among these, the Artifact Refining Merchant House was usually the most well-capitalized, making it the best choice for exchanges here.
Moreover, Lu Qian also needed to purchase several magical artifacts. So he chose to do it all here, both exchanging and spending spirit stones.
Magical artifacts are vital means for cultivators to battle, avoid disasters, and avert calamities, essentially serving as a second life for cultivators. Qi cultivators use magical artifacts, Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars use spiritual artifacts, and when reaching the realm of the Golden Core Masters, magical treasures come into play, capable of achieving anything.
Magical artifacts are categorized into low-tier, mid-tier, and high-tier, with significant price differences. Low-tier magical artifacts are generally priced around a hundred spirit stones; mid-tier ones rise to three to five hundred, and high-tier ones can even exceed a thousand spirit stones.
Among magical artifacts, defensive ones are priced higher, often two to three times more than attack artifacts. As a result, some cash-strapped Qi cultivators cannot even afford a single defensive artifact.
Among Lu Qian and his companions, he only possessed a mid-tier Flying Sword bestowed by his master after reaching the fifth level of Qi cultivation, advancing to the mid-stage. Jiang Qingfeng, at the sixth level of Qi cultivation, had only a mid-tier ornamental hairpin for attack, though she managed to obtain a mid-tier Jade Pendant for defense by chance.
Qi cultivators employ magic techniques, talismans, or magical artifacts in combat, but mostly opt for magical artifacts for their simplicity, speed, and lower consumption of spiritual power; their attack and defense are excellent, thus they're widely used.
Whether facing potential enemies or future battles, good magical artifacts are essential. Lu Qian was prepared to make a significant expenditure, aiming to upgrade both his and his sister's combat capabilities significantly.
Lu Qian secretly took out three spirit crystals from the Sect Leader's Ring, and instructed softly: "Spirit crystals are very eye-catching. With our cultivation at the Qi cultivation stage, taking out three at once is about the limit. Exchanging too many might raise suspicion, and doing so at smaller shops could even provoke jealousy and tracking."
"Shortly, let's coordinate well and not show any nerves. I'll play the role of a noble family's heir, Sister will be the unsmiling Iceberg Beauty, and as for Taotao..."
Seeing Jiang Baitao's eager eyes, Lu Qian laughed heartily: "You just play yourself."
With that, he confidently stepped through the door first.
Noticing the luxurious attire of the three, a store attendant promptly greeted them. Lu Qian, however, dismissed several magical artifacts with disdain, repeatedly shaking his head. The shopkeeper, observing this for some time, quickly approached and escorted them to a second-floor private booth, serving them tea.
When facing the shopkeeper alone, Lu Qian adopted an arrogant tone, constantly mentioning how his senior brother and master would behave, fully embodying the demeanor of a disciple from a major sect. The shopkeeper dared not be negligent and hastily presented the store's high-tier magical artifacts for Lu Qian's inspection.