FVN Chapter 14 The Dawn's Crimson Gold Wheel, the Clear Radiance of the Glazed Plate
Chapter 14 The Dawn's Crimson Gold Wheel, the Clear Radiance of the Glazed Plate
Not long after, a sales assistant arrived with them, essentially a saleswoman in a fantasy world.
As soon as Huang Dan entered, he slightly lowered his body, walked quickly over, and handed over the catalog.
"Esteemed guest, my name is Huang Dan, and I am a clerk at Qianjin Pavilion. May I ask your honorable name?"
Li Ya took the booklet and casually came up with a name: "Zhang Junbao!"
He frowned; this picture book was really thick, and he probably wouldn't be able to finish reading it in a short time.
While carefully examining Li Ya, Huang Dan picked up the teapot, filled the teacup, and asked cautiously.
"May I ask if you are Zhang of Longhu or Zhang of Nanyang?"
Li Ya did not reply. How would he know what kind of Zhang this was? He couldn't very well say it was Zhang from Wudang.
Seeing no reply, Huang Dan wasn't annoyed: "Take a close look at the roster. I'll wait outside. Just call me if you need me!"
"Stay here for now!"
Now that Li Ya has sufficient funds, his most urgent task is to purchase spirit plants. This catalog has a wide variety of spirit plants, and he definitely needs someone who knows about them.
He couldn't stand the common cloud grass and moonflower that were pictured in the catalog.
I've learned a lot from Zhao Zhenping in the herb field these past few days; I can now distinguish even common herbs.
However, the "Eternal Life Thief" technique is more effective with older spiritual plants.
These kinds of medicinal herbs that mature in six months are not very useful.
"Manager Huang, I'd like to purchase some spirit plants that are of sufficient age. Do you have any recommendations?"
"You flatter me, esteemed guest. I am but a humble shopkeeper and would not dare to call myself the manager."
Qianjin Pavilion is the largest shop selling stolen goods within the Yunfu Sect's territory. It makes money by buying low and selling high. Its only drawback is that it's expensive.
Conversely, how can complaining about the price be the seller's problem?
Huang Dan seemed to have memorized the entire picture book. As soon as Li Ya finished speaking, Huang Dan didn't even look at the picture book and went straight to the location.
"Chapter on Plants and Trees, Section 46: Dragon Armor Bamboo, brimming with spiritual energy and vigorous with life, has been around for nearly sixty years."
"The fifty-second section is the Crimson Moon Vine, which is deep red in color and grows one section per year. To date, it has grown to over a hundred sections."
……
Li Ya looked through each document one by one, and after reading them, he simply shook his head slightly.
If the year is full of spiritual energy and vitality, then it's too little.
The "Eternal Life Thief" can plunder the life force and spiritual energy of spiritual plants and take it for itself. If one's true energy is tainted by the strange energy of a spiritual plant, it is not too difficult to clean it.
However, if dozens of different types of strange energies are successively present, and these factors overlap, it will be many times more difficult to clean them up.
Seeing this, Huang Dan was also somewhat puzzled: "I wonder what kind of spiritual plant you are looking for, friend?"
Li Ya then clearly stated his requirements, and Huang Dan frowned upon hearing them.
He then shook his head, his tone helpless: "Fellow Daoist's request is rather difficult."
"To be honest, there are indeed many spirit plants in Qianjin Pavilion that are old enough, but these spirit plants were all collected from various places, or were repurchased after the treasure was opened, or were acquired through secret channels."
"These spiritual plants are of a wide variety, and it is rare to find the same species, not to mention the sheer number of them."
"If you are willing to wait, Fellow Daoist, Qianjin Pavilion can set up a bounty."
Li Ya shook his head: "If we can wait, why would we need to go to Qianjin Pavilion?"
"Never mind!" Li Ya had no choice but to give up. Since Qianjin Pavilion didn't have it, he could only go back and ask Senior Brother Lingji for help.
Huang Dan looked hesitant, a thought flashing through his mind, but he quickly suppressed it and his expression returned to normal.
"Could you please bring these magical treasures?"
"There is nothing wrong with that."
Before long, a servant carried it in.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I observe that these magical treasures all absorb the essence of the sun and moon. May I ask if you intend to cultivate a spiritual field within your cave dwelling?"
Huang Dan couldn't help but think of the matter of purchasing the spirit plant earlier, and with this special magic tool, it was clearly used to open up spirit fields.
Li Ya stepped forward and carefully examined the magical artifacts on the tray.
He didn't hide anything and explained directly that very few cultivators would purchase such magical artifacts that absorb the essence of the sun and moon.
"I recently acquired a cave dwelling, which is an extremely suitable place to cultivate spiritual fields."
On the leftmost tray is a round wheel, gold and red, with sun totems engraved on both sides.
The wheel radiated a rich, warm, and intense solar energy.
As he got closer, Li Ya could feel a faint warmth seeping into his body, making him feel completely comfortable.
"Fellow Daoist, what's the secret behind this wheel?" Li Ya asked, pointing at the wheel.
Huang Dan smiled and said, "This wheel is called the Dawn Crimson Gold Wheel. It is made entirely of crimson gold and has nine sets of formations engraved inside, nested together. The formations are connected by Dawn Crystals."
Li Ya nodded and reached out to lift the golden wheel.
It felt warm to the touch, and a rich, concentrated energy of the sun flowed into my body through my fingertips.
He could sense that the Dawnlight Crimson Gold Wheel was indeed of excellent quality.
He put the Dawnlight Crimson Gold Wheel back in its original place and continued to examine the other magical artifacts.
Beside the Dawnlight Crimson Gold Wheel, there was a slightly smaller disc with an impressionistic full moon engraved on its surface. It emitted a faint moonlight power, cool and gentle, and one could feel a refreshing aura when approaching it.
"This magical artifact is called the Clear Radiance Glazed Plate, and it is a pair with the Dawn Light Crimson Gold Wheel."
"These two magical artifacts, which combine the brilliance of the sun and moon, are most useful in caves where there is no connection to the sun or moon. When the essence of the sun and moon is exhausted, they can be replenished in less than half a day by simply placing them outside."
Seeing that Li Ya showed no interest, he could only continue his introduction.
"This Starry Sea Banner can absorb the power of stars to nourish spiritual plants. Together with the Dawnlight Crimson Gold Wheel and the Clear Radiance Glazed Plate, the three can be linked to form an array, simulating the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. It is most suitable for you, Fellow Daoist."
Li Ya remained unmoved, and Huang Dan felt unlucky, having wasted his breath without selling a single magical artifact.
"Is there a corresponding array plate?"
"have!"
"Alright, these three items, plus a formation plate, what's their value?"
"Change it... No, no, fellow Daoist, do you want all three?" Huang Dan could hardly believe his ears.
"What, can't we sell it?"
"Yes, yes, yes, the three magical artifacts cost six hundred taels of Moon Toad Coins, and the array plate costs one hundred taels, totaling seven hundred taels?"
This way, the products can be sold, and the dividends are quite substantial.
"Four hundred taels for the array plate!"
Li Ya was not a clueless fool who didn't understand the situation. These magical artifacts that simulated the movement of the sun, moon, and stars had no ability to defend against enemies.
Ordinary sects and families all have their own medicinal fields. Those who open up medicinal fields in their caves are only doing so out of temporary helplessness.
The accompanying ritual implements are in low demand and don't fetch a high price. These three ritual implements are of extremely high quality and can be considered among the best of their kind.
If the array plate is refined properly, it might be able to be upgraded to another grade.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, this price is really too low. I'll go find the manager and talk to him about it!"
Huang Dan pretended to leave the private room, and came back in a while later, looking excited as soon as he arrived.
"Fellow Daoist, the steward said he can offer a discount, 650 taels of Moon Toad Coins, or even lower..."
"I'll say it again, four hundred taels!" Li Ya continued, looking extremely impatient.
"Don't bother looking for the so-called manager. You've got quite the stamina for the short time you've been gone. Perhaps the manager is on this floor."
"Next, we'll have to go find the shopkeeper again and ask for another discount!"
Even after being exposed, Huang Dan remained calm, pouring tea while instructing the servant to bring a bowl of spiritual fruit.
"Fellow Daoist is joking. I was just looking for the manager."
Four taels of gourd money, a full four taels!
Huang Dan's breathing became rapid. He had originally planned to take a break today, but he never expected to run into such a big order.
"I only brought this much money with me. Whether it works out or not is up to you."
Li Ya looked at the sales clerk with a smile and amusement.
Huang Dan gradually calmed down; this sum of money was by no means a small amount.
The other party was able to take it out in one go without showing any sign of distress, as if the four taels of gourd coins were no different from four taels of copper coins, which speaks volumes about their status.
He couldn't help but think to himself, "Could Zhang Junbao really be a member of the Zhang family, the Dragon and Tiger Clan?"
The gourd coins are not comparable to the moon toad coins. Even if you have four hundred taels of moon toad coins, you may not be able to exchange them for four taels of gourd coins.
He secretly intercepted the gourd money and handed over four hundred moon toad coins. Even if he needed to pay some upfront, it would be enough for him to earn.
"Four hundred it is..."
"Wait!" Li Ya interrupted, "Give me another suitable refining method."
"That should be the case!"
In the end, the four taels of gourd money bought three magical artifacts and an array plate, as well as the method of refining them. Huang Dan also kindly gave him a set of books on refining artifacts and tending medicinal fields.
Throughout his cultivation journey, Li Ya had considered acquiring a magical artifact for self-defense. While Huang Dan was settling accounts, he opened the book "The True Explanation of the Artifact Craft" that Huang Dan had given him.
This is a classic text published by a Taoist academy under Baiyujing, making it an excellent read for beginners.
The opening four sentences outline the main points, which are simple and easy to understand.
Choosing material is like choosing a spiritual companion; the right time and place cannot be ignored.
Refining weapons is like practicing the Way of Heaven; the four seasons and solar terms are all laws and regulations.
Its form subtly reflects one's temperament, and its array formations and restrictions are as vital as one's life.
Consecration is like a spark of inspiration; ritual refinement and nurturing are like raising a child.
The most important thing in crafting weapons is the selection of materials. Without the best spiritual materials, even the most skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice.
Whether the spiritual energy is abundant, whether the form of the magic weapon is suitable, and whether it matches the cultivator's destiny are all crucial factors.
If the natural appearance of a spiritual material is similar to the shape of the magical treasure being refined, then it is a stroke of good fortune.
Even the use of certain special spiritual materials requires adherence to the four seasons and solar terms.
After obtaining the materials, auxiliary materials must be added according to the cultivator's techniques to refine the spiritual liquid and cleanse the spiritual materials.
Only laymen would think that finding a spiritual material is enough to forge a magic weapon. Even cooking a delicious dish requires processing ingredients, preparing various seasonings, and controlling the heat, let alone forging a magic weapon.
Secondly, there is the timing. The auspicious time for refining weapons cannot be determined by the calendar; it requires observing the stars and measuring the earth's veins.
Those who refine their plants with fire often choose the spring rains and the awakening of insects, because at this time the yang energy of heaven and earth begins to rise, and the nature of fire contains the meaning of growth and development. Those who refine their plants with water choose the autumn equinox and the white dew, taking advantage of the mutual generation of metal and water.
When the Yunfu Sect was forging the massive magical artifact, the Thunder Listening Hall, many elders of the sect worked together for a hundred years, traveling all over the country, and whenever there was an abundance of thunder, they would use a bronze cauldron to collect it.
Every year at the beginning of spring, when the spring thunder begins to emerge, the collected thunder is released to amplify the spring thunder and guide it into the palace. After a hundred years of work, this treasure that guards the sect is finally completed.
Furthermore, the array runes inside a magic weapon vary from person to person and must be compatible with the cultivator's cultivation techniques and attributes.
Once the magic weapon is initially formed, it needs to be nourished daily with one's own vital energy, much like an old farmer tending to seedlings or a loving mother nursing an infant. The methods of refining it vary, and over the years, the magic weapon may develop spirituality.
"It is often said that old objects in folk culture become sentient, and this is similar to the case of scholars' brushes. When writing or painting, they infuse their hearts and minds with intense emotions. Over the years, this is akin to refining a magical artifact, and thus it develops sentience!"
"Those supernatural tales are utterly ridiculous."
"A woodcutter stumbled upon a magical sword in the mountains; a drop of blood from it would make it spiritually connected and recognize its master."
Such claims are pure nonsense. People are often misled by strange tales and wild rumors. Little do they know that the way to create magical treasures is actually a technique that seizes the creation of heaven and earth and reverses the cycle of yin and yang. If one could simply pick one up and use it, how ridiculous would that be!